Rahul's Attack on ECI Sheds Light on Congress' Decade-Long Paradox

For nearly a decade, the Congress has attacked the Election Commission of India (ECI), electronic voting machines (EVMs), and voter rolls as compromised—yet has also notched significant electoral victories through the same system.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

That contradiction, which has raised questions within the party, was on display again this month.

On 7 August, Congress leader, Member of Parliament, and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi held a high-profile press conference in New Delhi, accusing the ECI and EVMs of enabling "vote theft" and widespread irregularities. Days later, on 11 August, he led a protest march in the national capital after meeting Opposition MPs to forge a united front demanding greater transparency in India's electoral process.

The allegations coincide with the party's firm opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise being undertaken by the ECI in Bihar. They mark the latest chapter in Congress' long-running criticism of India's electoral machinery, which it has voiced even when it has secured major wins.

Over the past ten years, Congress has won key state elections in Punjab (2017), Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan (2018), Himachal Pradesh (2022), and Karnataka (2023). It has also increased its Lok Sabha seat tally from 44 in 2014 to 52 in 2019 and 99 in 2024.