If ‘Vote Theft’ claims are true, Congress must step down in Telangana: Bandi Sanjay

Union Minister and BJP leader Bandi Sanjay Kumar strongly criticised the Congress party over its repeated allegations of “vote theft,” saying that if the party truly believes elections were manipulated, it should first give up power in Telangana and Karnataka, where it currently governs.

Responding on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Sanjay said it was contradictory for Congress to accept election results when it wins, but cry “vote theft” whenever it loses. He pointed out that the same Election Commission, voter lists and Constitution were used to form Congress governments in Telangana and Karnataka. “If elections were stolen, Congress should resign in these states and set an example for democracy,” he said.

Sanjay accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of building his political narrative on falsehoods in an attempt to defeat the Narendra Modi-led government. “Misleading the nation has become Congress’ political strategy,” he alleged, adding that the party was trying to cover up public rejection by questioning democratic institutions.

He said calling every electoral defeat “vote theft” was an insult to the millions of voters who freely exercised their democratic choice.

The BJP leader also criticised Rahul Gandhi for his comments on “Shakti” (power). Sanjay said RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had spoken about Shakti in a cultural and civilisational sense - as energy and inner strength - but Rahul Gandhi deliberately twisted it into a political controversy.

“Turning a cultural idea into a political attack shows a lack of understanding of Indian tradition and even basic scientific thought,” Sanjay said. He added that Prime Minister Modi had earlier warned that those who attack the idea of Shakti would ultimately face political consequences.

Sanjay remarked that Shakti does not mean a throne or political power, but a deeper civilisational concept rooted in Indian philosophy.

Reiterating his criticism, Sanjay said Congress celebrates democracy when it wins, but undermines it when it loses. He accused the party of spreading fear among the public, first by claiming reservations would be scrapped, and now by alleging that voter verification would lead to the loss of Aadhaar cards, ration cards, land and property. “This is deliberate fear-mongering,” he said.

Sanjay further accused Congress of treating institutions as its private property for decades, especially since the Emergency period. He said threatening action against Election Commissioners was not democratic courage but outright intimidation. According to him, independent institutions are acceptable to Congress only when outcomes favour one family.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that “vote theft” was embedded in the BJP’s DNA. He claimed that Congress stood with truth and would remove the Modi government from power.

Referring to an earlier speech by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Rahul Gandhi said Bhagwat had stated that the world recognises not just truth, but also power.

Bhagwat had said that the world may not always accept truth willingly, but it acknowledges power and strength.