New Delhi [India], April 21 : After Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the Election Commission in Boston, US, sparked controversy, Congress defended the Rae Bareli MP's remarks while the BJP said that that he is targeting the institutions estabilished under the Constitution.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury stated that Rahul Gandhi concerns over the inclusion of "fake voters" in voter list are genuine.
"Rahul Gandhi has alleged that many fake voters were made to participate in Maharashtra elections by the ruling party. Rahul Gandhi clearly stated the figures, but his complaints have not been taken into consideration by the Election Commission. His complaints are valid and the ruling party should answer," Chowdhury said.
Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda said, "In Haryana, many votes increased between the Assembly elections and Lok Sabha elections. There is only one way- to hold elections by ballot."
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray also came out in support of the Congress MP, terming his statement as "100 per cent correct."
"His statement is 100% correct because the whole world knows that the Election Commission is administered from the BJP office," Thackeray claimed.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also supported the remarks made by the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi during his address to the Indian diaspora in Boston and stated that he has "given facts in his speech."
The Congress leader also raised questions over the functioning of the Election Commission.
Tiwari told ANI, "Why does the BJP not improve itself or the Election Commission? ... Rahul Gandhi has given facts in what he said during his study speech, but are these facts not known in America? ... How will democracy survive until the Election Commission of this country is impartial, independent or free from any pressure? ..."
Congress MP Imran Masood said, "How does national or international soil matter when what he says anywhere is heard in the world? Talk about the question he is raising."
On the other side, BJP launched scathing attacks on Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in US.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused him of tarnishing India's democratic image on international platforms.
Speaking to the media, Fadnavis said it was "very sad" that Gandhi spreads "lies" about India's constitutional institutions while overseas, claiming his actions reflect the frustration of repeated electoral defeats.
"It is very sad that Rahul Gandhi goes abroad and spreads lies about the institutions created by the constitution of this country and tries to defame it. He tries to raise questions about democracy. I feel that he is doing such acts because of the consequences that have happened to him after losing elections repeatedly. The way Rahul Gandhi is behaving has raised a question mark on his character. Instead of doing such things, if he goes among the people and gets the trust of the people back, then he will be able to win the elections. He cannot win elections by defaming anyone," CM Fadnavis said.
BJP National spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Monday took a dig at Rahul Gandhi and said that his aim was to humiliate Indian organisations and institutions on foreign soil.
"Rahul Gandhi's identity is to humiliate Indian organisations and institutions on foreign soil. He goes abroad and makes comments on India's Constitution, judiciary, and questions the Election Commission of India (ECI). This shows how people, while going against PM Modi, have started going against the country," Shehzad Poonawalla said.
Odisha Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said that it is a habit of Rahul Gandhi to defame India abroad and speak against the judiciary, constitution, parliament.
"This shows their love for the nation. They don't have trust in the judiciary, the Election Commission of India," Harichandan said.
Calling the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the Election Commission in US as "unfortunate", Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the frustration of continuous defeat is clearly visible on the latter's face.
In a post on X, Pradhan said, "Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has once again questioned the credibility of the Election Commission from a foreign land. It is very unfortunate that whenever Rahul Gandhi is abroad, he does not miss sharing his hateful thoughts towards India and India's democratic systems."
"In fact, the 'crown prince' of the 'royal' family, who has been in power for decades, is irritated by the recognition India's glorious democratic traditions are getting at the global level. This is the reason why he does not miss any opportunity to insult the country and its citizens," Pradhan said.
He requested the Congress MP to not "hurt" India's democratic dignity.
"Not only the country but the world also believes in our great democratic values and its credibility. But, the frustration of continuous defeats is clearly visible on Rahul Gandhi's face. I request Rahul Gandhi not to hurt India's democratic dignity on the basis of electoral victory or defeat," Dharmendra Pradhan said.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that Rahul Gandhi is not worth to be the Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha.
"Rahul Gandhi repeatedly insults the country, he will do a drama by holding the Constitution book in his hand, but by questioning the constitutional institution, he will tear it to pieces. Shame on such a double-faced leader of the opposition. Those who insult their country, question the constitutional institution, who do not believe in the Constitution, are not worthy of that post (Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha)," Sinha said.
Haryana Minister Anil Vij claimed that the Congress MP is running a campaign to "malign" the image of India abroad.
"Does he even consider Hindustan as Bharat Mata or not?" Vij said.
While addressing the Indian diaspora in Boston, United States, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Election Commission (EC) in India was "compromised," stating that there was something fundamentally wrong with the system.
Citing the example of the Maharashtra elections, the Senior Congress leader stated that there was an addition of 65 lakh voters to the voter list in two hours, which was impossible.
"More people voted in Maharashtra than the total number of people in Maharashtra, and this is a fact... the Election Commission gave us a figure in the evening around 5:30 p.m., and in two hours around 7:30 p.m., 65 lakh voters had voted, which is physically impossible..." he claimed, addressing the meeting.