BJP Criticizes Congress Over Alleged Electoral Fraud by Past Leaders

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken a strong stance against the Congress party, accusing it of electoral malpractice during the tenures of former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi. During a press conference, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat referenced media reports alleging that nitric acid was poured into ballot boxes during Nehru's administration, purportedly to manipulate election outcomes in his favor.

 

Shekhawat claimed that in the 1952 elections, under Nehru's leadership, ballot boxes were tampered with using nitric acid to adversely affect the results. Reports of ballot damage were published in newspapers. He launched a fierce critique against Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, asserting that booth capturing occurred during their tenures to ensure the Nehru-Gandhi family remained in power.

 

He further stated that unethical methods were employed to influence voters during Indira Gandhi's elections, leading to the annulment of her election by the Allahabad High Court. This is well-known. When Rajiv Gandhi was leading the Congress party, blatant booth capturing was reported in his constituency, Amethi, where voters were obstructed from casting their votes, necessitating a re-election. Efforts were made to prevent this re-election from occurring.

 

Shekhawat also pointed out that Sonia Gandhi and other senior Congress leaders have remained silent about these "unethical electoral practices" that were utilized during their party's rule. A question was raised about Sonia Gandhi yesterday, and it is surprising that neither the family nor the Congress party has responded even after 24 hours. The Congress party's silence raises questions. This discussion comes in light of Rahul Gandhi's allegations against the Election Commission regarding "vote theft" and the controversies surrounding alleged irregularities in the special intensive review (SIR) in the electoral state of Bihar.