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Key Points

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi for his remarks about India's electoral process during a speech in the US. Gandhi alleged that the Election Commission is compromised, citing irregularities in Maharashtra's voter data. Athawale countered by stating that Gandhi only questions EVMs when Congress loses elections. The BJP has condemned Gandhi's statements as an insult to India's democratic institutions.

Key Points: Athawale Slams Rahul Gandhi for Criticizing India Abroad

  • Athawale accuses Rahul of doubting EVMs only after Congress losses
  • Gandhi claims EC is compromised citing Maharashtra voter anomalies
  • BJP criticizes Gandhi for undermining Indian institutions abroad
  • EVM debate resurfaces amid political blame game
2 min read

Rahul Gandhi always makes statements against India on foreign soil: Union Minister Athawale

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale accuses Rahul Gandhi of undermining democracy by questioning EVMs and Election Commission during foreign speeches.

"Rahul Gandhi is working to create a threat to democracy by making statements against India abroad – Ramdas Athawale"

Nagpur, April 21

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Monday hit out at Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in the US, accusing him of undermining democratic institutions and misleading the public.

Speaking to ANI, Athawale alleged that Rahul Gandhi raises doubts about the electoral process only when his party performs poorly at the polls.

"Here elections are conducted through EVM machines, people have the right to bring to power whoever they want. EVM machines were introduced during the tenure of the Congress Party. When they (Congress) got good seats in the Lok Sabha elections, we did not raise questions on EVM, but when we get more seats, then they (Congress) do politics by bringing EVM to the fore and blaming the Election Commission. Rahul Gandhi is working to create a threat to democracy, and whenever he goes abroad, he makes statements against India, which is not right," the Union Minister said.

Rahul Gandhi had addressed the Indian diaspora in Boston, United States, where he alleged that the Election Commission (EC) in India was "compromised", stating that there was something fundamentally wrong with the system.

Citing the example of the Maharashtra elections, the senior Congress leader stated that there was an addition of 65 lakh voters to the voter list in two hours, which was impossible.

"More people voted in Maharashtra than the total number of people in Maharashtra, and this is a fact... the Election Commission gave us a figure in the evening around 5:30 p.m., and in two hours around 7:30 p.m., 65 lakh voters had voted, which is physically impossible..." he claimed, addressing the meeting.

"It's very clear to us that the Election Commission is compromised, there is something very wrong with the system," he added.

The remarks of the Lok Sabha LoP ignited criticism from the BJP, which alleged that Rahul Gandhi is insulting the institutions of the country.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
Interesting points from both sides. While we should be able to question our institutions, doing so on foreign soil does seem questionable. There must be better ways to address these concerns domestically.
A
Amit S.
The Maharashtra voter numbers do seem suspicious when you think about it. 65 lakh voters in 2 hours? That's 9,000 votes per second! Even if it's half true, EC should clarify this properly. 🤔
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Rahul V.
Athawale makes a fair point about EVMs being introduced by Congress. Why question them only when you lose? Our democracy is stronger than these accusations suggest.
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Neha P.
I wish our politicians would focus more on solving real issues rather than this constant back-and-forth. The energy spent on these arguments could be used for actual governance!
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Sanjay M.
Respectful criticism: While I disagree with Rahul Gandhi's approach, we shouldn't dismiss all concerns about electoral integrity. Maybe an independent audit would help settle these debates once and for all.
M
Meera T.
The timing of these statements is interesting - right before elections. Both sides seem to be playing politics with our democratic institutions. As citizens, we deserve better than this. 😕

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