BJP Files Complaint to ECI against Rahul Gandhi over his 'Match-Fixing' Remark

The Bharatiya Janata Party lodged an official grievance with the Election Commission of India against Rahul Gandhi on Monday, following his 'match-fixing' remark made during the Loktantra Bachao rally organized by the INDIA alliance on Sunday. Gandhi's insinuation suggested the BJP's involvement in manipulating the forthcoming national elections. Led by Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and party national general secretary Arun Singh, the BJP delegation urged the electoral authority to take measures against the Wayanad MP.

During the INDIA Alliance’s Loktantra Bachao rally, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of orchestrating the Lok Sabha election like a rigged match with the help of crony capitalists. "IPL matches are being held today. When umpires are pressurised, players are bought and captains are threatened to win matches, it is called match-fixing in cricket. We have Lok Sabha polls before us; umpires were chosen by Prime Minister Modi. Two players from our team were arrested before the match," said Gandhi. He urged voters to counteract these tactics by voting wisely; cautioning that failure to do so could lead to a decline in constitutional principles.

After meeting Election Commission officials, Hardeep Singh Puri addressed the media, describing Gandhi's statement as 'extremely objectionable.' Puri emphasized that Gandhi's remarks not only violated the Model Code of Conduct but also had serious implications. “This is not just in violation of the Model Code of Conduct but could have serious implications. He also said that the central government has deployed its people to the Election Commission. He also raised questions on the credibility of the EVMs and said the Constitution will be cancelled changed after elections if the BJP wins again,” said Puri highlighting that Gandhi's assertions question the credibility of the Election Commission.

Arun Singh, the national general secretary of the BJP, appealed to the ECI to consider 'censuring' Rahul Gandhi. Singh expressed concern over the Wayanad MP’s jibe and suggested that the Election Commission should restrict him from speaking during the Lok Sabha elections to prevent further remarks of a similar nature.

The joint rally held in Delhi on Sunday by member parties of the Congress-led opposition INDIA bloc served as a platform for leaders to voice their grievances against the recent arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the liquor policy case. Rahul Gandhi and other speakers criticized the Narendra Modi government for allegedly undermining democracy and manipulating the electoral process.

Opposition leaders of the INDIA bloc gathered at Delhi's historic Ramlila Maidan for the 'Loktantra Bachao' (save democracy) rally on Sunday. The alliance partners of the INDIA bloc congregated to lodge their dissent against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case, and the arrest of former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. Leaders from various opposition parties spoke out strongly against what they view as the BJP's authoritarian tactics, particularly its alleged misuse of agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, CBI, and the Income Tax Department.​