Former MLA Gogi backs Rahul, seeks SC-monitored probe into ‘vote fraud’

Former Assandh MLA Shamsher Singh Gogi has supported Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of “massive irregularities and vote fraud” in the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections, demanding that the matter be investigated by a sitting Supreme Court judge.

Gogi alleged large-scale manipulation in several constituencies, including Assandh, where he lost by a margin of 2,306 votes. He claimed that fake votes were created using identical photographs, calling it “a blatant assault on democracy.” Praising Rahul Gandhi, he said the Congress leader had “courageously exposed a crucial truth before the nation.”

Citing figures, Gogi alleged that 6,491 votes in Assandh were registered at zero addresses, meaning those voters had no traceable or valid residential details. He further claimed that 36 votes were created using the same woman’s photograph across three pages of the voter list, while 10 votes were registered using a man’s picture at booth number 20.

“These are just samples,” Gogi said, claiming that nearly 15,000 votes in total appeared tampered with. “Many voters have duplicate registrations. Some have no address at all, while others are listed both in Jind and multiple locations within Assandh,” he added.

Calling for an impartial probe, Gogi demanded that the case be investigated by a sitting Supreme Court judge. “If the Election Commission truly represents democracy and the Constitution is alive, such grave allegations cannot be brushed aside,” he remarked.

He also questioned the mysterious rise in polling percentage after the elections. “Voting in Assandh was held on October 5, 2024, and the initial turnout was 61.19%. Later that night, it was revised to 65.65%, and two days later, on October 7, the figure was increased again to 67.8%,” Gogi said.

Terming the 2.5% rise “a clear sign of manipulation,” Gogi urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the alleged irregularities. “The country’s democratic system is being hijacked through deceit and manipulation by forces seeking to seize power dishonestly,” he cautioned.