'Rahul part of conspiracy to defame India, has conceded defeat in all elections to come': Rijiju

The BJP on Wednesday slammed Rahul Gandhi’s accusations that the Haryana elections were fake and alleged that was acting, as part of a conspiracy to defame India and Indian institutions. It indicated that the Congress leader had “conceded defeat” in all elections to come.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju — in a counter to Gandhi’s allegations with respect to “compromised voter lists” in Haryana 2024 Assembly polls today — said Gandhi and his party had all options open before them to challenge the duplication in voter list when there was time to file an election petition or to approach the courts.

“But Rahul Gandhi will not do that. He is only interested in shooting and scooting, by defaming institutions. He goes abroad and says Indian democracy is over. He defames the Army, the judiciary, the EC. We were in opposition for decades but never abused institutions. We slogged and won people’s faith. Rahul Gandhi doesn’t know how to toil. He has conceded defeat in all elections to come,” Rijiju said after Gandhi spoke of alleged voter fraud also possible in upcoming Bihar polls where the first phase of voting is tomorrow.

Rijiju also answered Gandhi’s charges about Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini’s remarks on election arrangements being in place for the 2024 Assembly polls in the state.

“By arrangements, our CM meant BJP discipline, cadre strength, booth management and ground-level work,” the minister said.

On Gandhi’s accusations about voter lists of Haryana beating multiple fake voter entries, Rijiju said electoral rolls are shared with political parties well in time for anyone to file objections but Congress didn’t file any objection in Haryana.

“At the time of voting, every party’s polling agents are stationed at polling booths to check voting is in accordance with law. Why didn’t Congress flag alleged fake voting then? Where were their polling agents? Even at the time of counting parties have counting agents. Where were Congress counting agents? Is this how democracy will run?” asked Rijiju, questioning how opposition parties won Telangana, Himachal (both won by Congress); Tamil Nadu (won by DMK); West Bengal (won by TMC), Punjab (won by AAP).

“Congress governed India for decades. Was that by vote theft?” asked Rijiju, accusing Rahul of being a pawn in the hands of anti-India forces out to defame Indian constitutional and democratic institutions.