Rahul Gandhi tarnishing image of Election Commission, says BJP's Pralhad Joshi

New Delhi: Accusing Rahul Gandhi of repeatedly trying to peddle lies to tarnish the Election Commission of India following his party's electoral losses, Union Food and Consumer Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said that Congress leader’s modus operandi is “hit and run”.

Instead of making baseless allegations against the ECI, Rahul Gandhi should have asked his party leaders to file a complaint with the Election Commission or the Court seeking justice soon after the Lok Sabha polls if they found any doubt about the poll process, Joshi said.

"Moreover in 2024, when the Lok Sabha poll happened, the Congress led government was ruling in the state. When the state government officials are involved in preparation of the electoral rolls, how come the Congress leader blaming the Election Commission," Joshi told media persons here.

"In Bihar, the Election Commission has taken up Special Intensive Review of electoral rolls to eliminate bogus voters. However, the Congress and its allies opposing the ECI move Bihar while the party accusing bogus voters have been added to voter list in Karnataka. This is nothing but a double standard by Congress as well Rahul Gandhi," Joshi said.

“When Congress won 135 seats in Karnataka assembly polls in 2023, Rahul Gandhi had no issues with the Election Commission. Even the EVMs were also fine. But now, when the BJP wins more seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is the Election Commission suddenly not good and are the EVMs not reliable?” the minister asked.

" Nobody knows, what exactly is Rahul Gandhi trying to present before the country and the world? There should be some logic and some intelligence in his argument.” Joshi added.