Not free but a heavily controlled election: Rahul Gandhi on recent Lok Sabha polls

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi during his United States’ visit claimed that recently concluded Lok Sabha elections were not ‘free but a heavily controlled election.’

“I don’t believe that in a fair election, the BJP would come anywhere near 240 seats. I would be surprised. They had a huge financial advantage and had locked our bank accounts. The Election Commission was doing what they wanted. The entire campaign was structured so that Mr. Modi could carry out his agenda across the country, with different designs for different states. I don’t see it as a free election. I see it as a heavily controlled election,” said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during an interaction session at the Georgetown University. Further attacking BJP, the LoP said “There is a huge nexus between the government and two or three really large businesses. Two, that the lower castes, particularly the OBCs and the Dalits, have been taken for a ride, and this is very strong across the board.”Rahul Gandhi on caste census:”Poor people deeply understood that now this is a battle between those who protect the Constitution and those who seek to destroy it. That was one very strong element. There was also the issue of the Caste Census, which became significant and is a fundamental question in India,” said Rahul Gandhi during the interaction.He further said that the ‘Bhagidari’ (share) of institutions, structures, and the power dynamics of Indian states came into focus. Rahul Gandhi is on a three-day visit to the US. In his speech at Dallas, he termed the Indian diaspora in the US a “vital bridge” between two nations and stated that Dallas has provided a “fantastic start” to his US visit.Gandhi, who arrived in Dallas on Sunday, interacted with students and teachers at the University of Texas. He also addressed the members of the Indian diaspora in Dallas. He also visited Washington DC.

(with agency inputs)