New Delhi, August 14(HS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday launched a fierce counterattack on the Congress over charges by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders against the Election Commission, accusing the grand old party of “mastering the art of seizing and clinging to power through fraudulent and unethical means since Independence.”

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat claimed that Congress’ history is replete with instances of electoral malpractice, from booth capturing to tampering with ballot boxes, all to maintain the dominance of the Nehru–Gandhi family.

Shekhawat pointedly revisited a question raised yesterday about Sonia Gandhi, asserting that not a single Congress leader has responded even after 24 hours. He alleged that Sonia Gandhi cast her vote in 1980 — three years before she acquired Indian citizenship in 1983 — and demanded answers on “under which law and on what basis” her name was entered in the voters’ list before she became a citizen.

Historical Allegations Revived

Rewinding to the first general elections, Shekhawat alleged that during the 1952 polls under Jawaharlal Nehru’s leadership, nitric acid was poured into stuffed ballot boxes to influence the results — accounts of which, he said, were reported in newspapers of the time.

He accused former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of using state machinery and unethical tactics to sway voters, leading to the Allahabad High Court annulling her election. Under Rajiv Gandhi’s leadership, he claimed, there was open booth capturing in Amethi, with voters being prevented from casting their ballots. Even when repolling was required in the constituency, Shekhawat alleged, multiple efforts were made to block it.

‘Congress Silent, Questions Unanswered’

The minister stressed that neither the Gandhi family nor the Congress party has offered an explanation for Sonia Gandhi’s alleged illegal voting, calling their silence “telling” and indicative of a long tradition of “electoral deceit.”

Targeting Rahul Gandhi

Shekhawat also levelled a sharp personal attack on Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of “aligning with anti-India and foreign forces” at moments when the nation needed unity, or when there were occasions for the country to take pride in collective achievements.

“From 1952 to 1967 and beyond, Congress has repeatedly rigged elections, resorted to fraud and manipulation, and played the game of power through deceit to gain and maintain authority — by fair means or foul,” Shekhawat declared.

With these remarks, the BJP has signalled that it intends to keep the focus on Congress’ alleged historical wrongdoings and the Nehru–Gandhi family’s political dominance, as the war of words between the two parties intensifies ahead of the electoral season.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar