The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a sharp counterattack against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s accusations of large-scale voter fraud in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, accusing him of spreading a “false narrative” to undermine India’s constitutional institutions, particularly the Election Commission of India (ECI).

BJP Calls Allegations Politically Motivated

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, in a press conference on Friday, dismissed Gandhi’s claims as politically driven attempts to cover up Congress’s electoral failures.
“He talks of dropping an atom bomb of evidence, but ends up cutting the branch he sits on. Is this language befitting a Leader of the Opposition?” Yadav asked, also accusing Gandhi of intimidating ECI officials with threats of action if the opposition came to power.

Specific Charges by Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi alleged that in Bengaluru Central’s Mahadevapura Assembly segment, over 1,00,250 votes were “stolen” using duplicate entries, fake addresses, and misuse of Form 6, helping the BJP win by a margin of 32,707 votes.
He further claimed Maharashtra saw one crore new voters between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections — a figure disputed by Yadav, who said the actual difference was only 40 lakh, based on ECI data.

ECI Seeks Proof Under Rule 20(3)(b)

The Election Commission has formally asked Gandhi to submit a sworn affidavit under Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, to substantiate his claims.
Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer warned that failing to provide evidence would indicate the allegations are baseless.

BJP MPs Reject Fraud Claims

BJP MP P.C. Mohan, who won from Bengaluru Central, termed the accusations “political theatre,” insisting his win was purely due to voter trust and not manipulation.
Yadav stressed that voter roll revisions were handled independently by the ECI and accused Gandhi of “selectively questioning” election results only when Congress lost.

Political Fallout and Next Steps

The Congress has announced a protest march to the ECI office in Bengaluru, intensifying the political battle.
While leaders like Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah back Gandhi’s demand for greater electoral transparency, the BJP insists these allegations aim to deflate public faith in democratic institutions.
All eyes are now on the ECI’s response and the affidavit Gandhi has been asked to provide.

The post BJP Hits Back at Rahul Gandhi Over Voter Fraud Allegations appeared first on Odisha Connect.

A heartwarming video of newlyweds Mahua Moitra and Pinaki Mishra dancing joyfully at their intimate wedding celebration in Germany has gone viral on social media, drawing admiration and emotional responses from fans and public figures alike.

The couple tied the knot on May 30 in a private ceremony held in Germany. A video shared from the event showed the pair dancing to the classic Bollywood tune “Raat Ke Humsafar” from the 1967 film An Evening in Paris. Moitra wore a pale pink saree while Mishra complemented her attire with a peach-toned kurta-pyjama and Nehru jacket, making their chemistry on the dance floor evident to all.

Though the clip was brief, it quickly gained traction online, sparking discussions about their relationship, attire, and the simplicity of the event.

On June 5, Moitra, 50, confirmed their marriage by posting a photo on social media platform X, where the couple is seen cutting a wedding cake featuring the initials “MP.” In her caption, she wrote, “I am truly grateful for all the kind messages you have given me. So thankful.” Her announcement confirmed long-standing speculation about her relationship status.

This is Moitra’s second marriage; she was previously married to a Danish financier. Her new husband, Pinaki Mishra, 65, is a senior advocate and former MP from Odisha. He was earlier married to Sangeeta Mishra, with whom he has two children.

The wedding drew warm wishes from colleagues and well-known personalities. TMC leader Saayoni Ghosh posted on X, “Congratulations Mr & Mrs Prime Minister… I wish you will always have love and laughter in your life.” Personalities like Javed Akhtar and Swara Bhaskar also shared their congratulations.

Reactions online were mixed. While many lauded the couple for embracing love later in life, some brought up Moitra’s political journey, referencing her recent election victory after losing her seat in Birbhum, which marked a significant comeback in her political career.

This union of two seasoned public figures, both respected in their fields, is being hailed by many as a reminder that love and new beginnings have no age limit.

The post Mahua Moitra and Pinaki Mishra’s Wedding in Germany Goes Viral for Their Joyful Dance appeared first on Odisha Connect.