Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: Congress national spokesperson and Theog MLA Kuldeep Rathore on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission of India, alleging systematic manipulation in the recently concluded assembly elections across four states and one union territory.
Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Rathore claimed that large-scale voter deletions were carried out under the guise of the Special Summary Revision of the voter list, which he termed a major factor behind the BJP’s electoral success. He asserted that the integrity of India’s democratic process now stands compromised.
Rathore directly questioned the neutrality of the Election Commission. Drawing a parallel with central agencies, he stated that just as the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation have faced persistent allegations of partisan behaviour, the poll panel is now under a similar cloud of suspicion. He emphasised that the fundamental mandate of constitutional bodies is to ensure free and fair elections, but their current functioning is increasingly shrouded in doubt.
The Congress leader further alleged that the BJP concentrates its entire political machinery on one or two states, deploying all available resources and methods to tilt electoral outcomes. He cited the examples of Punjab, Bihar, and Maharashtra, claiming the party exploited specific political circumstances to capture power in these states. Rathore also cautioned that even political parties currently in alliance with the BJP are not entirely secure in the long run.
Referring to West Bengal, Rathore levelled serious accusations of misuse of central paramilitary forces, alleging that supporters of opposition parties were prevented from casting their votes. He voiced concern that critical issues such as rising inflation and unemployment were completely sidelined during the elections. The Congress leader highlighted that the relentless rise in prices of essential items, including LPG cylinders, petrol, and diesel, continues to severely impact the common citizen, yet these concerns failed to dominate the electoral narrative.
Defending senior party leader Rahul Gandhi, Rathore stated that the Congress leadership consistently presents its arguments backed by facts, which is why the BJP has been unable to initiate any concrete legal action against him. He also criticised the central government’s foreign policy, noting a perceived weakness in bilateral ties and remarking that relations with neighbouring countries have not witnessed any meaningful improvement.
Discussing the political landscape of Kerala, Rathore observed that the state’s educated electorate votes on the basis of real issues rather than communal considerations. In sharp contrast, he objected to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s style of public discourse, stating that his language lacks decorum and requires immediate restraint.
Concluding his address, Kuldeep Rathore issued a stark warning that the manner in which elections are currently being contested poses a direct threat to the nation’s democratic framework. He made it clear that the Congress party will continue its fight on this issue and will raise its voice at every level to protect the country’s democracy.
