'EC Gaslighting Citizens': Rahul Gandhi Reiterates Vote Chori Claim As BJP Leads Maha Civic Polls Trends

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday attacked the Election Commission amid the ongoing row over indelible ink, saying that the poll body is "gaslighting citizens". The Congress leader also reiterated the 'vote chori' claim as the BJP projected a strong lead in the Maharashtra civic body polls results, counting for which is underway. 

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote: "Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy. Vote Chori is an anti-national act." Rahul Gandhi's post comes after claims surfaced that maker pens were used to ink the fingers of voters during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election.

He also shared an article clipping, which stated that the voters and the opposition leaders had highlighted their concern regarding fading ink marks following the BMC election voting on Thursday, and how a "red-faced" Election Commissioner stated that there will be a probe in connection with the ink row.

Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy.

Vote Chori is an anti-national act. pic.twitter.com/3FZKkDPwDg — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 16, 2026

The ink row caused a massive political row after opposition parties alleged that the ink could be wiped off easily, which further raised concerns about the polling process. The ink claims were rejected by the state Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare, who clarified that marker pens have been used in Maharashtra since 2011.

BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi Over 'Gaslighting' Remark

The Bharatiya Janata Party slammed Rahul Gandhi for attacking the poll body and asked him if he had "accepted defeat" before the counting of votes concluded.

"Bahana brigade back! Accepting defeat before the counting ends? Rahul is back to doing what he does best. Discredit, distort & disinform. Khandani chor now regurgitating claims of Thackerays. By the way, what came out of the allegations Rahul made on the Bihar elections vote chori??" BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla wrote on X.