# BJP hits back at Rahul Gandhi over anti-incumbency, vote theft claims 2026-09-24T22:27:37+00:00 | Politics | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets The BJP on Thursday called Rahul Gandhi a 'master of deception' with 'zero political knowledge', responding to his allegations of 'vote theft' and collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said the Congress leader's accusations lacked credible evidence. Trivedi cited states where the Congress has not returned to power for decades: Tamil Nadu since 1967, West Bengal since 1977, Bihar since 1990, Uttar Pradesh since 1989, and Odisha since 1999. He argued that anti-incumbency was stronger against the Congress, especially since elections became more transparent with CCTV cameras and independent media. Gandhi had earlier questioned why anti-incumbency affects every party except the BJP, and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the electoral roll revision. The BJP dismissed the charge, asking for evidence that any EC decision was not unanimous. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Both The Hindu and Times of India reported the BJP's rebuttal similarly, with the former leading on Trivedi's personal attack on Gandhi and the latter foregrounding Gandhi's own press conference. The coverage is straight news, giving each side's claims without endorsing either. The BJP relied on electoral history to argue that Congress faces deeper anti-incumbency, while Gandhi pointed to recent state swings as evidence of a broken pattern. Neither side offered independent verification of its central claim. The debate shifts to the EC's Special Intensive Revision, which the opposition says is flawed, the government says it is lawful. The EC's next decision on the revision process will be the concrete test. ## Coverage - thehindu.com (neutral report) Leads with BJP attack on Gandhi, gives both sides - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Foregrounds Gandhi's press conference, includes BJP rebuttal Tags: BJP, Election Commission, Gyanesh Kumar, Rahul Gandhi, Sudhanshu Trivedi Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/bjp-hits-back-at-rahul-gandhi-over-anti-incumbency-vote-theft-claims/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/bjp-hits-back-at-rahul-gandhi-over-anti-incumbency-vote-theft-claims/#story-in-brief