"Why BJP is doing fielding, batting for EC": Sachin Pilot questions govt over Rahul Gandhi's 'Vote Theft' allegations

New Delhi [India], August 12 (ANI): Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for defending the Election Commission of India (ECI) and called for a verification into the alleged discrepancies flagged by the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, regarding "vote theft".
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of AICC general secretaries, in-charges, and heads of frontal organisations, Pilot said, "I don't understand why the BJP is doing fielding and batting for EC. BJP is in power. But the Election Commission is a constitutional body. It is capable enough."
He also expressed concern over recent changes in the selection process of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), alleging they raised doubts about the commission's independence.
"First of all, the procedure of selection of the Chief Election Commissioner was amended. PM and HM are selecting the CEC now. CJI was removed (from the panel)...All we are saying is that a verification should be done (into Rahul Gandhi's allegations on the EC). We suspect that there have been discrepancies in the voter list and vote theft has been done," he further added.
A day earlier, extending support to Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi over his allegation on the Election Commission, the Congress leader said that the evidence presented by Gandhi is "indisputable".
Pilot emphasised that they are demanding an investigation by the poll body over Rahul's allegations. "The evidence that Rahul Gandhi placed before the public is indisputable. The BJP has become the spokesperson of the Election Commission. We are just demanding an investigation by the Election Commission. Every common citizen has this right," he said.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police detained Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several INDIA bloc MPs who attempted to march to the Election Commission headquarters in protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar and alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and TMC MP Sagarika Ghose were also among those detained by the police. The detained MPs were corralled into a bus to be taken to the Parliament Street police station.
While being detained, Rahul Gandhi told reporters, "The reality is that they cannot talk. The truth is in front of the country. This fight is not political. This fight is to save the Constitution. This fight is for One Man, One Vote. We want a clean, pure voters list." (ANI)