During the debate on the President’s address in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi brought up the issue of electoral discrepancies in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. He alleged that before the Maharashtra elections, the entire voter population of Himachal Pradesh had been added to the state’s voter list, leading to an unprecedented surge in new voters.
Electoral Irregularities in Maharashtra
Rahul Gandhi stated, “I would like to bring certain facts about the Maharashtra elections to the notice of this House. Between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the entire voter base of Himachal Pradesh was added to Maharashtra’s voter list. Approximately 7 million new voters suddenly appeared between these elections.”
He further demanded transparency from the Election Commission, asking for a complete list of voters, their addresses, and polling stations to analyze the legitimacy of these additions. Gandhi pointed out that most of the newly registered voters were from constituencies where the BJP secured victories. However, he refrained from making direct accusations, instead urging the Election Commission to disclose the data for scrutiny.
PM Modi Forced to Bow Before the Constitution
Switching gears, Rahul Gandhi reminded the House of BJP’s “400-plus” seat claim before the elections, alongside alleged plans to alter the Constitution. He expressed satisfaction at seeing Prime Minister Narendra Modi bow before the Constitution after taking office, stating, “It was a proud moment for every Congress member to witness the Prime Minister acknowledge that no force can dare touch the Constitution.”
Gandhi also took a jibe at the RSS, claiming that its leadership has never fully accepted the Constitution. He cited RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s controversial remark that India did not gain independence in 1947, asserting that “such a dream will never materialize—the Constitution will always govern India.”
China’s Incursion and the Failure of ‘Make in India’
The Congress leader then turned his attention to national security, quoting the Army Chief’s statement that China has intruded on Indian land. He argued that the Chinese aggression is a consequence of the failure of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, criticizing India’s dependency on Chinese-manufactured goods.
“We are failing to manufacture our own products, and this is enabling China’s economic dominance over us. If a war breaks out, we will find ourselves relying on Chinese motors, batteries, and equipment,” he warned.
Speaker Demands Proof of Chinese Incursion
When Rahul Gandhi reiterated that China occupies 4,000 square kilometers of Indian land, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla interrupted, demanding evidence for such claims. Gandhi defended his statement by citing the Army Chief’s remarks, insisting that it was a well-documented fact.
India’s Role in Global Industrialization
Gandhi also emphasized the strategic partnership between India and the United States, asserting that America cannot build a robust industrial system without India’s participation. “The U.S. needs India just as much as India needs the U.S. Our manufacturing capabilities can achieve what Americans cannot, due to the high cost of production there.”
He further accused the government of making diplomatic efforts to secure an invitation for PM Modi to attend former U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration. This claim prompted an objection from Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who criticized Gandhi for making “baseless and irresponsible” statements concerning diplomatic relations.
Using AI for Caste Census Data
In his concluding remarks, Rahul Gandhi suggested leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze caste census data. He envisioned AI-powered policy-making that would empower Dalits, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Adivasis by ensuring greater representation in governance, institutions, and wealth distribution.
Gandhi asserted that the opposition’s INDIA alliance would focus on two key issues—challenging China in advanced technology sectors such as electric motors, batteries, and renewable energy, and using AI to drive social transformation within India.
As the debate continues, Rahul Gandhi’s remarks have sparked fresh discussions on electoral integrity, national security, and economic policy, with both the government and opposition gearing up for further discourse in the coming days.
