Rahul Gandhi’s exposé on electoral malpractice deserves serious attention

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* 

Rahul Gandhi’s recent exposé on electoral malpractices demands a serious and credible response from the Election Commission of India. It is rare for a mainstream Indian politician to undertake such meticulous research and present it in such detail at a press conference. The issues raised cannot be dismissed as mere allegations.

In fact, this is the kind of work the media should have been doing all along—consistently and as part of a sustained campaign. Unfortunately, much of the Indian media has been reduced to a public relations arm of Hindutva politics. It has become a caricature of itself, with many so-called anchors and reporters functioning primarily to amplify the PR efforts of the BJP.

Manipulation of voter lists is not a new phenomenon in India. However, what is new is the scale and systematic "management" of such manipulation. While the past witnessed booth capturing through muscle power, today we face a more insidious threat: digital manipulation. With access to vast amounts of data, entire communities can be shifted from one constituency to another without their knowledge. Demarcation of constituencies has also changed multiple times, often without voters being informed.

The Congress Party and the INDIA alliance must formally take this matter to the Election Commission. They could also move the Supreme Court, although expectations from the judiciary remain low at present. In such circumstances, public pressure may be the only viable route. Vigilance will be critical—both at polling booths and counting centres. Many polling stations today lack party booth agents, particularly from the Congress, which no longer has a grassroots presence everywhere. The attack on democratic processes is multifaceted, and the entire opposition must unite and coordinate their efforts accordingly.

I do not support electoral boycotts; they are ineffective unless they evolve into a widespread national movement. The BJP still commands a substantial vote share, and not all of it is due to manipulation. Frankly, what we are witnessing is a manipulation of the public mind. Many political leaders lack ideological commitment and can switch to the BJP at any moment. We must not ignore the deep and widespread communal polarisation across the country.

The opposition must therefore contest the upcoming Bihar elections with full strength. Political dialogue among INDIA alliance partners must intensify.

This is a political battle. Rahul Gandhi must engage politically, not just as a researcher. While his investigative efforts are commendable, he must also be cautious with his words. He is surrounded by adversaries—within his party, in government, the bureaucracy, and corporate circles—who are waiting to trap him. He is already facing numerous legal cases across various courts, and it's unlikely that the system will support him unconditionally. The BJP appears to be using the legal route to entangle him further.

Despite these challenges, Rahul Gandhi remains the only national leader today who fully understands the economic mismanagement and authoritarian tendencies of the Narendra Modi government. He continues to be a thinking politician, but must remain extremely cautious. His delivery, especially in terms of articulation, often lacks sharpness and precision.

The election study commissioned by Rahul Gandhi must be taken seriously. The Election Commission should independently verify it. The Congress Party should officially submit this data to the Commission and consider moving the Supreme Court. Organisations like the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) could also make use of this data and file petitions in the court.

Regarding his remarks on affidavits, Rahul Gandhi was right to point out the hypocrisy. If BJP leaders were made to file affidavits for all their statements about Nehru, Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and other opponents, they would be forced to account for much of their rhetoric. No one would have dared to challenge Rajiv Gandhi in such a framework if speaking under oath or affidavit had been mandatory.

Rahul Gandhi’s effort is courageous—particularly on a day that holds historical importance for another reason. August 7, 2025, marks the 35th anniversary of the acceptance of the Mandal Commission Report in Parliament by then Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh. Sadly, few remember VP Singh and his landmark decision, which gave political voice to millions of marginalised citizens. Rahul Gandhi’s act today is, in a sense, a reaffirmation of democratic ideals—of governance by, for, and of the people. The Mandal legacy redefined who the "people" of India are, and why they deserve their fair share of power.

Unfortunately, political parties today have forgotten these lessons. Most only glorify their own icons while ignoring pressing people’s issues. Perhaps the public, too, has forgotten—but this collective amnesia is a dangerous sign for our democracy.

Now we must wait and see how political parties, INDIA alliance members, and public institutions respond to Rahul Gandhi’s revelations—and whether they act to address the rot that plagues Indian democracy today.

---

*Human rights defender