Let Election Commission itself submit an affidavit, says Ashok Gehlot

Questioning the neutrality of the Election Commission, veteran Congress chief Ashok Gehlot on Friday (August 8, 2025) requested the ballot physique to itself submit an affidavit stating that there have been no irregularities within the elections. The Election Commission had demanded an affidavit below oath from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi about his allegation of electoral fraud.

Mr. Gehlot mentioned at a press convention in Jaipur that the Election Commission had made an “absurd demand” regardless of understanding the truth that Mr. Gandhi was working below an oath to uphold the Constitution which inherently included strengthening the constitutional establishments. “Instead of creating such a ridiculous demand, the EC ought to have initiated a good investigation,” he mentioned.

The former Rajasthan Chief Minister accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of damaging all democratic establishments, whereas affirming that the Election Commission, as soon as revered globally for its credibility, was being checked out with suspicion. “Democracy can not survive within the nation when the EC colludes with the ruling occasion,” Mr. Gehlot mentioned.

Mr. Gehlot mentioned the statements of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha about electoral fraud in Maharashtra and Karnataka have been “completely appropriate” and within the curiosity of the nation. Mr. Gandhi’s presentation had proved {that a} harmful sport was being performed within the nation, he mentioned, including that threats have been being issued to the Congress chief as a substitute of addressing the problem.

While the Election Commission was depicting a “clear bias” towards the Opposition leaders after modifications in its appointment process, the BJP’s manipulation of election outcomes by way of “rigging and cash energy” and its acts to undermine establishments for political benefit had posed a significant risk to the nation’s democracy, Mr. Gehlot mentioned.