Delhi, 11 December (H.S.): Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah avoided responding to serious allegations he raised on vote chori (vote theft) during the debate on electoral reforms in Parliament.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi said he had directly challenged Shah to debate the contents of his press conferences on alleged vote manipulation, but the home minister “did not give any answer”.

Gandhi alleged that Shah appeared visibly unsettled during Wednesday’s exchange.

“He used the wrong language, his hands were shaking—you must have seen it. He is under pressure mentally. The whole country saw it in Parliament,” Gandhi said.

The Congress leader claimed that Shah failed to address any of the key issues he raised—transparent voter lists, concerns over EVMs, and the government’s move to give the Chief Election Commissioner immunity.

“The things I have said, he did not address. He did not give proof. We challenged him to discuss it in Parliament, but got no answer. You know the reality,” Gandhi told reporters.

On Wednesday, during the debate on electoral reforms, Gandhi called Shah’s response “completely defensive” and described “vote chori” as the “biggest treason”. The Opposition staged a walkout shortly after.

Later, in a post on X, Gandhi said the home minister’s reply on “vote theft” was “panicked” and “defensive”.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticised Shah’s lengthy defence, saying it only raised more doubts.

“For 1.5 hours, he has only given clarification that they have not done vote chori. If someone is innocent, will they give such a long clarification?” she asked.

The confrontation comes amid ongoing opposition criticism over the government's proposed electoral reforms and concerns over electoral transparency.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar