Congress grapples with internal dissent over Rahul Gandhi’s vote theft allegations
Congress leaders express concerns over Rahul Gandhi’s handling of vote theft allegations and party strategy amid Bihar election preparations (Photo: Pinterest)
New Delhi: Congress members are increasingly unhappy with the decisions and statements made by Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. There is also growing concern among the party’s allies, as Rahul Gandhi, sitting in Delhi, is busy fueling the issue of vote theft. Furthermore, he has now invoked the Gen Z, claiming that democracy is in danger. These statements, however, are having little impact on the average voter; instead, they are providing the BJP with ready-made targets for attack.
In “Vote Theft Part One,” Rahul Gandhi presented the people he spoke about as victims of vote theft. Later, it was revealed that the entire matter was orchestrated. None of the alleged votes were cancelled; all were live voters. Similarly, the SIR issue, which disrupted the opposition during the monsoon session of Parliament, has now disappeared in Bihar. The Election Commission released a list of 6.5 million deleted names, and the opposition could not produce a single person claiming their name had been deleted.
At the start of the Voter Rights Yatra, the SIR issue dominated discussions. After the Commission released the list, Rahul Gandhi shifted focus to vote theft. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, recognizing the situation, immediately pivoted to local issues. During his Bihar Bachao Adhikar Yatra, he spoke solely about local matters.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi again targeted the Election Commission regarding vote theft, claiming he would ex pose more cases. However, the Commission has termed his allegations baseless. His subsequent mention of G en Z sparked a fresh debate nationwide, with Rahul claiming that youth will prevent vote theft. Both of these issues, however, are considered unacceptable by party insiders.
These concerns are rooted in Congress’s recent electoral history. The party suffered a crushing defeat in 2014 while in power, followed by a mix of victories and defeats in various states. In 2018, Congress won states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. However, the party faced an even larger defeat in the 2019 general elections, after which it raised concerns about EVM tampering. When the BJP failed to secure a majority in 2024, EVMs were accepted as accurate. Suddenly, Rahul Gandhi has shifted the narrative, blaming vote theft for defeats, claiming the Election Commission is aiding vote thieves. Party members are questioning his intentions.
Internal concerns extend beyond messaging. Rahul’s direct appointments of district presidents from Delhi are bypassing state units, weakening local influence. Ticket aspirants may increasingly bargain with these district presidents. Similar patterns were observed in Youth Congress elections, where powerful individuals won while dedicated party workers were sidelined. Leaders worry organizational elections every three years may be rendered meaningless.
There is currently no consensus within the party or among its allies regarding Rahul Gandhi’s decisions. The RJD has decided not to highlight the vote theft issue during elections. Relations between Congress and RJD are strained, with disagreements not only on issues but also on seat-sharing arrangements. The Congress has called a working committee meeting in Patna on September 24, focusing solely on the Bihar elections. The party plans to demonstrate its strength and pressure the RJD for more winnable seats.
Questions remain: will a seat-sharing agreement be reached? Will Rahul Gandhi adjust his stance on vote theft, or continue highlighting the issue stubbornly? These outcomes will be crucial in determining Congress’s electoral fortunes in Bihar
