Cong's Supriya Shrinate shares video claiming 'vote chori'; top Bihar poll officer hits back
New Delhi (PTI) Congress leader Supriya Shrinate shared a video in which a journalist has claimed that a person he met in Bihar had voted twice, evoking a sharp response from the state's top poll officer who asked her to provide details and warned of legal action against anyone spreading fake news.
Shrinate shared the video on X in which a journalist stated that he met a BJP worker in the party's office who voted at two places.
The chief electoral officer (CEO) of Bihar, in a post responding to her on X, said, "Please provide the voter's name, EPIC number, booth number, and assembly constituency number mentioned in the video so that an investigation can be conducted and action can be taken as per the law."
"Without any factual information, the above claim cannot be substantiated. Appropriate legal action will be taken against anyone spreading fake news," the CEO said.
Responding to the CEO's post, Shrinate said, "Sir @CEOBihar, please give these empty threats to someone else. The video is from a reporter, ask him for any information you need. What's the point of remaining an ostrich?"
"And if you've finally woken up from your Kumbhakarna-like slumber, please investigate these gentlemen," Shrinate said.
Other Congress leaders also raised their "vote chori" (vote theft) pitch and rallied behind Rahul Gandhi for taking up the issue.
Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said it has become a fashion to blame Gandhi after every poll defeat.
"These were the same people who were praising Rahul Ji after Lok Sabha elections. Now the whole blame is being put on him. There was no dearth of efforts made by him. For 15 days he travelled across Bihar during Vote Adhikar Yatra. During the poll campaign also, he campaigned in the entire state," Shukla said.
"Persuaded JMM to withdraw its candidates, made Mukesh Sahney agree to be part of the alliance. Despite his age, Kharge Ji campaigned. Venugopal ji was there every now and then," he said.
Shukla claimed that the opposition had to fight "open support" of the Election Commission to the ruling party, brazen use of money to influence voters, and then the government machinery.
"We will have to devise something new otherwise democracy will not survive," he said.
In a post in Hindi on X, Shrinate said, "If you believe the Bihar elections were fair and Rahul Gandhi is responsible for this defeat, then it's pointless to talk to you."
"But if you are among those who are intelligent, this makes you question whether a 90% strike rate for the BJP and its allies is possible.
"If you also believe that this strike rate is impossible due to unemployment, inflation, migration, and the breakdown of law and order, then your skepticism is correct," she said.
"The Bihar elections have shattered the electoral system enshrined in the Constitution. BJP leaders and officials have openly cast more than one vote," she alleged.
"Despite the announcement of elections, the BJP-JDU government in Bihar deposited Rs 10,000 into the accounts of women, while the Election Commission remained a mute spectator, this is blatant bribery for votes," she said.
In the middle of the election, before voting began, people from Karnal were sent to Bihar by train wearing BJP scarves, she said.
Rahul Gandhi didn't just make allegations, but laid bare the entire truth before the nation with evidence, Shrinate said.
"The BJP has completely institutionalized vote theft. Therefore, arguments about the BJP's election management, or why the opposition doesn't fight like the BJP, are completely meaningless," she said.
"So rise up, raise your voice, this is the time to stand together. And remember one thing, no matter what lies the BJP spreads, the truth will surely be exposed. It is impossible to hide the truth, even if a soldier of truth stands alone," Shrinate said.
On Friday, Rahul Gandhi called the Bihar poll results surprising, and claimed that the election was not fair from the very beginning.
Gandhi also said the Congress and the INDIA bloc would conduct an in-depth review of the outcomes.
The Congress also claimed that the results, without a doubt, reflect "vote chori on a gigantic scale - masterminded by the prime minister, the home minister, the EC".
Gandhi's poll campaign against the BJP in Bihar revolved around his "vote chori" allegations.
पपीते का पत्ता = बिहार में वोट चोरी pic.twitter.com/7TTS3VSFpB
— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) November 15, 2025
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Women’s Reservation Bill: K'taka CM accuses PM Modi of adopting 'double standard'
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of adopting a “double standard” on women’s reservation, alleging that the Centre had delayed implementation despite having the opportunity to act earlier.
Addressing reporters here, Siddaramaiah said the BJP and Modi had earlier opposed welfare guarantees and were now replicating them, while also questioning the timing and intent behind the women’s reservation move.
“That’s what I call double standards. Narendra Modi is not for social justice. If he was, this would have been done long ago. How many years has he been in power? It’s been 12 years. Why hasn’t it been done so far?” he asked.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the Congress had consistently supported women’s reservation and accused the Centre of "politicising" the issue.
“We spoke about women’s reservation. The Prime Minister asked me what our stand was. I said we are in favour of women’s reservation,” he said, referring to recent discussions with the PM.
He maintained that delimitation should only be carried out after a fresh Census to ensure equitable representation among states.
“In my view, delimitation should be done after a new census. That is why we opposed it. We have not opposed women’s reservation. We have always supported it,” he said.
Highlighting Congress’ past role, he said, “Who brought the 73rd and 74th amendments? Rajiv Gandhi and the Congress party. Those amendments ensured 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies. Why would we oppose it?”
Siddaramaiah further questioned the union government’s delay in implementation. “Narendra Modi indulged in politics and got it passed in 2023. Why didn’t he implement it immediately? Then why did he wait so long? He could have implemented it immediately. If he is committed to women’s reservation, he should have implemented it,” he said.
On the linkage between delimitation and reservation, he asked, “Why did the Centre link it with delimitation? Why did it go for a constitutional amendment?” adding that such a move could disadvantage southern states that have successfully controlled population growth.
“Southern states have controlled population well, but northern states haven’t. Naturally, it benefits them and disadvantages us,” he said.
Responding to BJP’s criticism that women would “teach Congress a lesson,” Siddaramaiah said, “They are doing politics. If Modi had brought this earlier, who would have opposed women’s reservation?”
On electoral prospects elsewhere, he said he had no direct information on Tamil Nadu but was optimistic about ruling DMK's victory.
"According to the information I have, DMK and its alliance are likely to win,” while asserting that Kerala would also be won by the opposition.
In a major setback to the BJP-led Central government, a Constitution Amendment Bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 was defeated on Friday, with the ruling dispensation asserting that the struggle to give the rights to women will continue.
While 298 members voted in support of the bill in Lok Sabha, 230 MPs voted against it. Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes for a two-third majority.
According to the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased to 816 from the current 543 to "operationalise" the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.
Seats were also to be increased in state and Union territory assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
