Rahul Gandhi, the prominent Congress figure, unleashed a fierce broadside against India’s Election Commission Friday, branding it as an entity actively deceiving the masses over the ‘ink scandal’ that has gripped national attention. The Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad didn’t mince words, charging that the ECI’s handling of complaints about washable voter ink constitutes a direct assault on democratic principles.
Details of the row trace back to viral videos showing voters scrubbing off the supposedly permanent ink with household solvents like alcohol. Gandhi, addressing supporters in a charged atmosphere, declared the ECI’s stance as ‘nothing short of misleading the nation.’ He urged for immediate investigations and accountability, warning that such lapses could disenfranchise millions.
Not one to back down, the Bharatiya Janata Party hit back hard. Party general secretary accused Gandhi of indulging in ‘cheap politics’ and fabricating crises to stay relevant. ‘The Congress has a patent on crying wolf every election cycle. This ink has marked billions of fingers faithfully for years,’ the BJP leader retorted, dismissing the claims as exaggerated.
Background checks reveal the indelible ink, supplied by a government-approved vendor, has faced occasional scrutiny but never systemic failure. Political analysts view Gandhi’s intervention as a strategic move to rally opposition forces ahead of key assembly polls. Meanwhile, the ECI has maintained silence, citing ongoing internal reviews.
The episode underscores deeper tensions between the ruling establishment and opposition regarding institutional autonomy. With elections looming, this controversy could shape narratives on governance and trust. Stakeholders await clarity, but for now, the political slugfest shows no signs of abating, keeping the nation’s democracy in the spotlight.