The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has hit back at Rahul Gandhi over his ongoing criticism of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing his mother, Sonia Gandhi, of being listed as a voter before she became an Indian citizen.

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya alleged that Sonia Gandhi’s name appeared on India’s electoral rolls twice without fulfilling the citizenship requirement — first in 1980, while she was still an Italian citizen, and then again in 1983, months before she was officially granted Indian citizenship.

“Sonia Gandhi’s tryst with India’s voters’ list is riddled with glaring violations of electoral law. This perhaps explains Rahul Gandhi’s fondness for regularising ineligible and illegal voters, and his opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR),” Malviya posted on X.

First Entry in 1980 as Italian Citizen

Malviya stated that Sonia Gandhi’s name first appeared on the rolls in 1980, three years before she became an Indian citizen. At the time, the Gandhi family was living at 1, Safdarjung Road, the official residence of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Until then, the registered voters at that address were Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, and Maneka Gandhi.

The electoral rolls for the New Delhi parliamentary constituency were revised in 1980 with January 1, 1980 as the qualifying date. According to Malviya, Sonia Gandhi was added at serial number 388 in polling station 145, despite the law mandating that only Indian citizens can be registered as voters.

Removal in 1982 and Re-entry in 1983

Following public criticism in 1982, Sonia Gandhi’s name was deleted from the list. However, Malviya alleged it was reintroduced in 1983 during a fresh revision of the electoral rolls. This time, she was listed at serial number 236 in polling station 140.

The qualifying date for this revision was January 1, 1983, but Malviya highlighted that Sonia Gandhi was granted Indian citizenship only on April 30, 1983.

“In other words, Sonia Gandhi’s name entered the electoral rolls twice without meeting the basic citizenship requirement — first as an Italian citizen in 1980, and then again in 1983, months before she legally became a citizen of India,” Malviya said, calling it “blatant electoral malpractice.”

Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations Against EC

The BJP’s counterattack comes after Rahul Gandhi launched a campaign against the SIR, accusing the Election Commission of colluding with the BJP to enable “vote theft.” Gandhi alleged that the SIR process would disenfranchise citizens, especially minorities, due to strict documentation requirements.

Rahul has claimed there are numerous cases of duplicate voters, voters with fake or invalid addresses, bulk registrations under one address, invalid photos, and misuse of Form 6 for adding new voters.

Last week, Opposition MPs wore T-shirts highlighting alleged voter irregularities, such as the case of “124-year-old voter Minta Devi” from Bihar’s electoral roll. Rahul claimed such examples were not isolated but part of a national, systematic effort to manipulate voter lists.

“The Election Commission is not doing its duty of enforcing ‘One Man, One Vote,’ which is the foundation of the Constitution. There are countless cases like Minta Devi. We will keep exposing them. Picture abhi baaki hai,” Rahul said.

Political War of Words Intensifies

This exchange is the latest in a series of bitter political clashes between the BJP and Congress over the credibility of India’s electoral process.

While the BJP accuses Congress leaders of past violations of electoral laws, the Congress continues to frame the SIR exercise as a political tool aimed at suppressing certain voter groups.

The Election Commission, meanwhile, has asked Rahul Gandhi to submit a sworn affidavit substantiating his claims. The EC has previously stated that similar allegations have been addressed and dismissed by the Supreme Court.

With both sides refusing to back down, the issue appears set to remain a central flashpoint in the coming months, adding to the already heated political climate in the run-up to future elections.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are LGT Business Connextions, Vikram Solar, Gem Aromatics, Studio LSD, Shreeji Shipping Global, Patel Retail.

The Current active IPO are Regaal Resources, Mahendra Realtors and Infrastructure, Bluestone Jewellery and Lifestyle, Icodex Publishing Solutions.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.