The BJP hit back at Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of spreading misinformation and attempting to discredit the electoral process even before vote counting was completed.
BY PC Bureau
January 16, 2026: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of “gaslighting” citizens after leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alleged irregularities in the use of indelible ink during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly rejected the आरोपs, accusing Gandhi of distorting facts and spreading misinformation.
Sharing a news article on X, Gandhi said the controversy reflected a deeper erosion of public trust in democratic institutions. “Election Commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy. Vote chori is an anti-national act,” he wrote.
Gandhi’s remarks followed claims by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray that the ink applied on voters’ fingers during the BMC polls could be easily removed. MVA leaders alleged multiple administrative lapses, including the use of marker pens instead of the traditionally used indelible ink.
READ: BJP-Led Mahayuti Leads, Thackerays Trail in BMC Poll
Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy.
Vote Chori is an anti-national act. pic.twitter.com/3FZKkDPwDg
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 16, 2026
BJP hits back
The BJP responded forcefully, accusing Rahul Gandhi of attempting to undermine the electoral process even before the completion of vote counting. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Gandhi was repeating opposition claims without evidence and was seeking to discredit the Election Commission.
“Accepting defeat before counting ends? Rahul is back to doing what he does best — discrediting, distorting and disinforming,” Poonawalla said, also referring to Gandhi’s past allegations of “vote chori” in other elections.
Ink row escalates
Uddhav Thackeray alleged that the ink used to mark voters’ fingers could be wiped off with sanitiser or nail polish remover, raising concerns that some individuals could vote more than once. He questioned the Election Commission’s functioning and urged voters to remain vigilant.
Raj Thackeray echoed similar concerns, claiming that a new type of pen was being used to apply the ink. “Complaints are coming in that the ink gets erased if sanitiser is applied. Once the ink is erased, a person can potentially go back and vote again,” he said, calling for greater transparency.
Election Commission responds
Addressing the controversy, Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare dismissed the allegations, clarifying that there had been no change in the quality of the indelible ink. He said the same ink had been in use since 2011, though it was being applied in marker form in the current elections.
“There is a deliberate attempt to create confusion,” Waghmare said, adding that the ink used was identical to that deployed by the Election Commission of India in previous polls. He also warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to remove the ink and vote again.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also weighed in, dismissing the opposition’s claims with a light-hearted remark as he showed his own inked finger after voting. “I have also been marked with a marker — is it getting erased?” he asked, adding that the Election Commission should nonetheless examine the issue and explore alternatives if needed.
The controversy has added to the political heat surrounding the BMC elections, with counting underway and parties trading accusations over the integrity of the electoral process.
