By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Congress senior spokesperson Swadesh Sharma has levelled serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India (ECI), claiming that a series of irregularities have raised grave concerns about the credibility of the electoral process.
A video featuring BJP leader B.D. Sharma recently went viral, showing him speaking via video call to a party worker deployed in Bihar. The worker was heard saying that the situation on the ground was “very tight”, although he remained engaged in his tasks. Congress leaders assert that this exchange reflects the type of activities allegedly undertaken by BJP workers that may have influenced the final results.
Congress has further alleged that ₹10,000 was deposited into the bank accounts of women voters after the election was announced—an action they say violates election laws that strictly prohibit financial inducements. The party criticised the ECI for allowing such transfers, noting that even private individuals are barred from providing voters with transport, money or any form of incentive.
Additional allegations include claims that the BJP financed free train travel, accommodation and food for large numbers of people who were allegedly transported across states to cast fraudulent votes. Congress leaders say that “lakhs of people” were mobilised for this purpose with the party’s support.
The party has also questioned inconsistencies in voter figures announced by Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. According to Congress, Kumar initially stated that Bihar had 7.42 crore voters, but after the final phase of polling, the number inexplicably rose to 7.45 crore. The party is demanding clarification on the sudden addition of three lakh voters.
Moreover, Congress has criticised the ECI for failing to release the complete list of nearly 65 lakh voters whose names were reportedly removed from the rolls, as well as more than 20 lakh newly added voters.
The Congress has argued that these incidents collectively suggest that the Election Commission is “operating as an affiliate of the central government and the BJP”, posing what it describes as a serious threat to the country’s democratic framework.
