Who is Matheus Ferrero, Brazilian photographer whose image RaGa flagged in “vote chori” claim?
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday displayed a photograph he said appeared on multiple voter identity entries in Haryana and alleged large-scale fraud. The image shown during his “H-Files” briefing traces back not to a Haryana resident but to a portfolio shot by Brazilian photographer Matheus Ferrero, who posts freely licensed model images on stock sites. Rahul Gandhi said the same picture featured on several voter IDs, an example, he said, of how bogus entries were passed off as real voters.
What the image is, and who made it
The photograph in question appears on Matheus Ferrero’s online photography pages and on free stock-photo repositories (Unsplash, Pexels, IsoRepublic and others) where Ferrero uploads fashion and portrait images that are available for download and reuse. Ferrero is a Belo Horizonte–based photographer whose portfolio has been widely circulated on these platforms.
Is the woman in the photo identified?
News organisations that traced the picture say the model’s identity remains unknown. Reports note the image has been available on stock sites for years and widely circulated online; investigators and journalists have not been able to confirm that the woman is the same person named on any voter list, or that she ever visited Haryana. In short: the photograph is a stock image, not proof that a foreign national voted in the state.
What Rahul Gandhi alleged
Gandhi used the photo as one example in a broader charge that some 2.5 million votes in Haryana were “stolen” across several alleged methods duplicate voters, misuse of forms, bulk entries and more. He said the same picture appeared under different names and at multiple polling booths, arguing this showed a centralised operation to manipulate the rolls.
How authorities and media have reacted so far
Media checks have established that the image shown by Gandhi is available on Ferrero’s stock-photo pages. News outlets reporting on the claim have pointed out that stock images are commonly reused online and that a match between a stock photo and a voter ID image does not, by itself, prove who actually filled out or used a voter card. Election officials in the past have asked for formal proof when such allegations were made and have urged parties to submit signed declarations and precise evidence for verification. The Election Commission and state CEOs have in earlier episodes sought documentation before acting on such claims.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
