Rahul has tea with 'dead' voters from Bihar, thanks EC for 'unique experience'

Congress released a campaign video against 'vote chori' with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge asking people to save constitutional institutions from BJP's clutches.

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday met a group of seven people from Bihar, whose names were omitted from the draft electoral rolls after Special Intensive Revision (SIR) claiming they were "dead", and promised them that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc would fight against "vote chori" (vote theft)".

Ramikbal Ray, Harendra Ray, Lalmuni Devi, Bachiya Devi, Lalwati Devi, Punam Kumari, and Munna Kumar, who belong to Raghopur constituency which is represented by top RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, have been in Delhi as the Supreme Court was hearing the petitions against SIR.

Accompanied by senior RJD Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Yadav, they met Rahul at his residence. Sharing a video of his interaction with them, Rahul posted on 'X', "there have been many interesting experiences in life,  but I never got the chance to have tea with 'dead people.' For this unique experience, thank you Election Commission!"

Yadav said they have been removed from the electoral rolls despite having completed the requisite paperwork for the SIR.

In the video, Yadav told Rahul that the EC was not providing exact details of deletion of names from the rolls. To this, Rahul said, "the EC does not want to give information. Once you give information, the game is over."

Pointing towards Bachiya Devi, Yadav said she is 72-years-old, but her name was deleted citing she is dead and it was her son who found out that her name is missing from the draft rolls. 

Earlier in the day, Congress released a new campaign video against 'vote chori' with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge asking people to raise their voice and save constitutional institutions from the "clutches of the BJP".

Kharge said, "Do not let your rights to vote be snatched away. Ask questions, demand answers this time! Raise your voice against vote chori. Free constitutional institutions from the clutches of the BJP"

Rahul also shared the minute-long video and said, "Stealing your votes and right is stealing your identity."

Senior MP and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted on X, "save your right to vote, Raise your voice against vote theft."