Desk Correspondent , Delhi - Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing attack on the ruling government, labeling the alleged use of "erasable ink" during the recent municipal elections as an "anti-national act." Speaking at a press conference on January 16, 2026, Gandhi coined the term "Vote Chori" (theft of votes) to describe what he claims is a systemic attempt to subvert the will of the people. The controversy erupted after reports emerged from several polling booths suggesting that the indelible ink, meant to prevent multiple voting, could be easily removed using common chemicals, potentially allowing for widespread electoral malpractice.

Gandhi asserted that the integrity of the democratic process is being compromised by "hidden forces" within the administration who are more loyal to a political ideology than to the Constitution. He argued that stealing a citizen's vote is equivalent to betraying the nation, as it strikes at the very heart of India's sovereign identity. The Congress leader demanded an immediate independent judicial probe into the procurement and quality of the ink used by the Election Commission, calling for the disqualification of officials involved if the allegations of tampering are proven true.

The "erasable ink" row has triggered a massive political firestorm, with several opposition parties joining the Congress in questioning the fairness of the latest civic polls. While the government and election authorities have dismissed the claims as "baseless rumors" intended to delegitimize the electoral outcome, Gandhi insisted that the evidence on the ground is undeniable. He vowed to take the fight to the streets and the Parliament, stating that the opposition will not allow "the technical assassination of democracy" to go unchallenged.