'If you don't trust the Election Commission, resign from Lok Sabha': BJP to Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday demanded that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi resign from the Lok Sabha "on moral grounds" if he lacks faith in the Election Commission (EC), following his repeated allegations of "vote theft" during the 2024 general elections.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia criticised Gandhi for not submitting a written affidavit to the EC supporting his claims and accused him of making baseless allegations against a constitutional authority.

"You (Rahul Gandhi) make baseless allegations before the media and then refuse to give proof and a written declaration when the constitutional body asks for it," Bhatia said.

He further called on Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to resign from the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha respectively, if they too have no trust in the electoral process.

"Rahul Gandhi, if you don't trust the election commission and the observations made by the Supreme Court, do one thing: first, you resign from the Lok Sabha membership. Priyanka Gandhi, you also resign. Sonia Gandhi, you also resign at least on moral grounds because you are raising questions on the same Election Commission," Bhatia stated.

He added, "Then, you go to the Supreme Court, the high court and people."

Bhatia cited past Supreme Court rulings, noting that the apex court had upheld the EC's credibility, stating it had "built a reputation as an impartial body over the years."

He also extended the BJP's demand to the chief ministers of Congress-ruled states -- Karnataka, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh -- asserting that they, too, should step down if the party leadership did not trust the EC.

"Whatever suits you, you accept. Whatever is inconvenient, you reject and cast aspersions on the Election Commission. This will not work," Bhatia said.

The BJP’s attack comes a day after Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the Vote Adhikar Rally in Bengaluru, criticised the EC’s request for an affidavit supporting his allegations of voter fraud. Gandhi responded that he had already taken an oath on the Constitution inside Parliament.

"The EC asks me to file an affidavit and give information under oath. I have taken oath inside Parliament, in front of the Constitution, on the Constitution," Gandhi had said.

He also called for a state-level investigation into the alleged inclusion of fake voters in Karnataka during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Dismissing Gandhi's allegations, Bhatia labelled the Congress leader’s claims as false. "'Rahul aka 'arajak tatva' (anarchic element) has now become Rahul aka 'vidhwansak' (destroyer). He wants to destroy the Constitution of India and Indian democracy."

The BJP spokesperson concluded by accusing Gandhi of being "immature" and attempting to undermine constitutional institutions.

"He is starting a war against constitutional institutions by threatening EC officials," Bhatia said.

PTI