Either sign declaration or apologise: EC sources on Rahul Gandhi's vote theft allegations

New Delhi: The Election Commission sources on Friday dared Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to share details of wrongful entries and omissions in voters' list under oath if he is convinced that his analysis of 'vote theft' is correct or apologise to the nation for "raising absurd allegations".

The remarks came as Rahul continued his attack on the EC over 'vote theft' and held a protest in Bengaluru. EC sources said if he believes in his analysis and feels that his allegations against the EC are true, he should have "no problem" in signing the declaration under electoral rules and submit names wrongfully added or removed from voters' list.

If Rahul Gandhi does not sign the declaration, sources claimed that it would mean that he does not believe in his analysis and "resultant conclusions and absurd allegations" and he should apologise to the nation.

Sources claimed only two options are left for Rahul and it is either sign the declaration or apologise to the nation.

They said the reason for asking declaration this time is that in the past, Rahul has never sent any self-signed letter by himself and whatever reply the poll body gave was to some other entities and every time the Congress leader disowned it.

Sources said Rahul raised the Maharashtra issue in December last year and a lawyer wrote to the EC from Congress and the poll body provided a "detailed reply", which is on the website. However, they claimed, Rahul says that the poll body has never replied.

Referring to the Karnataka government deciding to use the electoral roll as a base for conducting a caste survey, sources said the move came at the same time Rahul was making allegations on voters' lists.