BJP responds to Rahul Gandhi’s allegations over Maharashtra civic polls with controversial ‘khandani chor’ remark.
Mumbai: During the Maharashtra civic elections held on Friday, Gandhi accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of misleading citizens, citing concerns about the quality of indelible ink used in the polls.
He described vote tampering as an “anti-national act” and urged scrutiny of the electoral process. These remarks triggered strong pushback from the BJP.
Also Read
BJP counters
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised Gandhi on X, saying, “Bahana brigade back! Accepting defeat before counting ends? Rahul back to doing what he does best — discredit, distort and disinform. 'Khandani chor' now regurgitating claims of Thackerays.” Another BJP spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, added that such allegations “turn out a damp squib in the court of law and the court of public opinion,” asserting that the claims were aimed at diverting attention ahead of the BMC elections.
The BMC elections 2026 have been closely contested across Mumbai and surrounding municipal corporations, with BJP, Shiv Sena factions, Congress, and other parties vying for key wards. Questions regarding indelible ink and administrative procedures were raised in some media reports, but there is no verified evidence of large-scale vote manipulation. The ECI has reaffirmed that civic elections were conducted in line with established protocols, with oversight to prevent irregularities.
Political and historical context
Rahul Gandhi has previously raised concerns over electoral integrity in other states, including Bihar, which the BJP dismissed as unsubstantiated. Analysts note that such exchanges are common during high-stakes local elections, reflecting political strategy, narrative framing, and public messaging.
Implications for Maharashtra politics
The dispute highlights heightened political tensions during the BMC elections, underscoring the role of social media and media narratives in shaping public perception of election processes. The outcome of the polls is closely watched as a barometer for party strength in Maharashtra ahead of future state and national contests.
(With PTI inputs)
Published: 16 Jan 2026, 04:53 pm IST
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.