BJP leader Ram Madhav dismisses Rahul Gandhi’s vote-rigging allegation

Bharatiya Janata Party national vice-president V. Ram Madhav has rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegation of “Vote Chori” against the NDA government, describing it as baseless. Speaking to reporters in Tirupati on Sunday, Mr Madhav also criticised Opposition parties for accusing the Election Commission of India.

He said the allegations were unwarranted and should be condemned along with what he called attacks on constitutional bodies. Mr Madhav argued that Opposition parties were unable to accept the people’s verdict in a democratic system and were responding with what he described as wild allegations. He also said the fear of repeated electoral defeats was affecting the Opposition.

The BJP leader urged the public to stand by constitutional institutions. His comments came while he was visiting Tirupati on a pilgrimage and watching the “Mann ki Baat” programme with party leaders. Mr Madhav also announced that the BJP would begin the “Seva Sankalp Abhiyan” on October 7.

The campaign will mark 25 years of Narendra Modi’s public life in elected executive office as chief minister and prime minister. He called on party leaders and workers to make the programme successful and told party cadres to work towards winning all seats in the forthcoming local body elections. Mr Madhav said the BJP’s political journey was focused on serving people rather than seeking power or positions.

Several Andhra Pradesh BJP leaders and spokespersons attended the Tirupati programme.