Anurag Thakur Critiques Rahul Gandhi's Vote Theft Claims in Lok Sabha
Thakur's Response to Opposition Claims
On Wednesday, BJP MP Anurag Thakur responded to Rahul Gandhi's allegations of vote theft during a Lok Sabha session, mocking the Congress party for consistently finding excuses after defeats. He stated that with the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, Congress is resorting to false accusations alongside other opposition parties. Thakur emphasized that if anyone holds the record for losing elections, it is under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, which has raised questions even within the party.
Continued Criticism of Congress
Thakur continued his critique, pointing out that whenever Congress faces electoral defeat, they question the integrity of the EVMs or blame the voters. He noted that Congress has previously claimed that EVMs are tampered with, called for a ban on them, and suggested a return to ballot papers. They have also alleged that EVMs can be hacked remotely and demanded 100% verification of VVPATs. Instead of self-reflection, Congress has consistently accused EVMs and constitutional institutions. Now, witnessing a potential loss in Bihar, they are once again making baseless allegations.
Historical Context of Electoral Integrity
Thakur remarked that if we look back to 1952, Congress and CPI collaborated to defeat Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a revered leader and the architect of the Constitution. He claimed that the foundation of electoral corruption was laid by Congress in that first election. According to him, records show that 74,333 votes were rejected while Ambedkar lost by just 14,561 votes. He highlighted that Congress managed to undermine the very person who drafted the Constitution, showcasing a clear example of electoral fraud.
Accusations Against Congress's Agenda
The BJP leader asserted that the Congress party has a long-standing practice of questioning the Election Commission, voters, or the electoral process whenever they lose. He recalled how Indira Gandhi once referred to voters as a 'mob of fools.' Rajiv Gandhi blamed ballot papers when he lost elections, while Rahul Gandhi has flip-flopped between advocating for EVMs and ballot papers. Thakur pointed out that Rahul Gandhi's claims about a surge in votes after 5 PM were misleading, as data showed a higher voting rate before that time.
Final Remarks on Congress's Allegations
The former Union Minister concluded that when Congress makes accusations of vote theft, it reveals a clear agenda: to protect their vote bank, particularly among infiltrators, while compromising national security and undermining the votes of genuine citizens. He sarcastically remarked that some Congress members claimed that Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders stirred up a storm, but he suggested it was merely a case of them needing to clean the dust off their mirrors.