‘Unique Experience’: Rahul Gandhi's Tea Party With ‘Dead Voters' Of Bihar Voter List

Rahul Gandhi met with individuals declared 'dead' by the Election Commission in Bihar, expressing gratitude for the unusual experience. The situation raised concerns about political disenfranchisement ahead of the Bihar elections.

Rahul Gandhi expressed gratitude to the Election Commission for an unusual experience after meeting with 'dead' voters from Bihar. These individuals claimed they were removed from the state's voter list following a contentious revision. "I have had many interesting experiences... but never before have I had tea with 'dead people'. For this unique experience, thank you Election Commission!" he said on X.

During a four-minute video interaction, Gandhi conversed with seven individuals who were declared 'dead' by the Election Commission. They discovered their status when a draft list of 65 lakh excluded names was released. One individual stated, "But I am alive... I have come to declare I am not dead," and mentioned that in one panchayat, at least 50 others faced similar issues.

Political Disenfranchisement Allegations

A party worker accompanying the group explained that these individuals were removed despite completing re-verification paperwork. The Congress party described this as political disenfranchisement rather than a clerical error. An elderly woman among them had spent hours at the Supreme Court regarding the voter list issue.

Gandhi assured them he would prevent 'vote chori', or vote theft, which has become a rallying cry for the opposition ahead of the Bihar election and a Supreme Court case on the poll panel's revision process. This case could set significant legal precedents before upcoming elections in Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh.

Allegations Against Poll Panel

The Congress named all seven 'dead' voters: Ramikbal Ray, Harendra Ray, Lalmuni Devi, Vachiya Devi, Lalwati Devi, Punam Kumari, and Munna Kumar from Raghopur. Rahul Gandhi has accused the Election Commission of colluding with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to commit voter fraud in Karnataka and Maharashtra last year and attempting similar actions for the Bihar election.

The Election Commission has denied these allegations and demanded proof from Gandhi. They also requested a signed affidavit after he was detained by Delhi Police during a protest. In response, they accused Congress of misleading people as they did in 2018 with Kamal Nath's plea.

BJP's Response

The BJP criticised Rahul Gandhi for tarnishing a constitutional body’s reputation. Home Minister Amit Shah mocked Congress for anticipating defeat in Bihar's upcoming election and seeking excuses beforehand. "You keep losing election after election... and now you are looking for an excuse for defeat even before this election," he declared in Bihar.