As Bihar prepares for its assembly elections, political tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have escalated, fueled by a fresh presser from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in which he alleged large-scale electoral fraud in the 2024 Haryana assembly elections. The presser, dubbed “The H-Files,” saw Gandhi making claims of “duplicate, fake, and bulk” voting, presenting a photograph of a woman he claimed was a Brazilian model appearing 22 times on Haryana’s voter rolls under different names such as Seema, Sweety, and Saraswati. This move has sparked an intense exchange of criticism and counter-criticism between the two parties, with both sides seeking to consolidate their narratives in the run-up to Bihar’s polling.

Gandhi’s presser accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of functioning under the influence of the ruling BJP to manipulate votes. He argued that the electoral rolls in Haryana contained multiple irregularities, citing the case of the Brazilian model as “proof” of large-scale electoral malpractice. Gandhi’s presentation focused on a photo that he said was used repeatedly in the voter lists of the Rai assembly constituency, a claim he maintained demonstrated a systematic attempt to skew election results. He also suggested that this was part of a larger, centralized operation aimed at manipulating elections across India, which he said deprived the Congress of victory in Haryana.

In response, the BJP dismissed Gandhi’s presser as “laughable,” arguing that it represented a diversion from the more pressing issues facing the country. Leaders from the ruling party contended that the Congress was trying to distract the electorate from substantive policy discussions and the state of governance in Bihar, particularly as the elections approached. Senior BJP figures described the allegations as baseless and designed to erode public trust in democratic institutions, including the Election Commission and the judiciary, both of which the party said had repeatedly dismissed similar claims.

Rekha Gupta, Delhi Chief Minister, took particular aim at Gandhi and his ally in Bihar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, drawing a sharp distinction between what she described as genuine leadership and misdirected political antics. Gupta’s remarks framed Gandhi as a “nalayak” politician—one who misleads people and distracts from real issues—while positioning Tejashwi and other local leaders as “Jan-nayak,” or true leaders who work for the welfare of the people. She highlighted what she described as Gandhi’s frequent foreign trips during critical moments in India’s political calendar, including visits to Cambodia, Thailand, and, most recently, Colombia. Gupta and other BJP leaders suggested that these trips inform his team’s strategies, leading to the creation of what they described as “baseless narratives” that waste public attention and disrupt democratic functioning.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju echoed this line of criticism, emphasizing that Gandhi’s overseas travel and his subsequent claims served to distract from serious domestic matters. Rijiju described Gandhi’s presser as a tactical move designed to monopolize political discussion with unfounded allegations, rather than address policy or governance challenges. He criticized the Congress leader for allegedly prioritizing political theatrics over pressing developmental and administrative issues, particularly during elections in a critical state like Bihar.

The BJP’s Information Technology (IT) cell, led by Amit Malviya, took to the social media platform X to reinforce the party’s stance, denouncing Gandhi’s allegations as an attempt to undermine public faith in democratic processes. Malviya’s statements pointed to the repeated dismissal of similar claims by the Supreme Court and other judicial bodies, asserting that such narratives threatened the credibility of institutions crucial to India’s electoral system. In response, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate fired back succinctly, telling Malviya to “sit down,” signaling the sharpness of the verbal exchange between the two sides.

Adding to the fray, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis criticized Gandhi’s framing of his revelations as a “Hydrogen bomb,” suggesting that the claims had little substance. Fadnavis likened Gandhi’s announcement to a “small cracker” with no real impact or energy, implying that the Congress leader’s approach was theatrically inflated while lacking material evidence. Fadnavis went further, asserting that Gandhi’s agenda was aligned with external forces seeking to destabilize India’s democracy. By framing Gandhi’s narrative as one that eroded confidence in democratic institutions and the Constitution, the BJP sought to position itself as the protector of stability, governance, and institutional integrity.

The controversy over the Brazilian model photo also attracted international attention. Media outlets and social platforms quickly circulated images of the woman in question, identified as Larissa Nery, who reacted with surprise to the allegation that her photograph had been used in Indian electoral rolls. She clarified that the image was old, taken when she was around 20 years old, and expressed disbelief that it was being presented as evidence of electoral fraud in Haryana. Larissa’s response highlighted the unusual and contentious nature of Gandhi’s claims, reinforcing the BJP’s assertion that the allegations were far-fetched and lacking in credibility.

Analysts suggest that the timing of the presser, just as Bihar was entering the first phase of its assembly elections, added a strategic dimension to the Congress’s messaging. Political experts noted that the presser was likely intended to energize Congress supporters and cast doubt on the BJP’s electoral legitimacy, particularly in the context of closely contested state elections. At the same time, the BJP’s counter-narrative sought to frame Congress as preoccupied with theatrics rather than governance, aiming to reinforce its appeal to voters concerned about law and order, development, and administrative efficiency.

The incident is also indicative of the increasingly combative style of Indian electoral politics, where both major national parties employ social media, high-profile press events, and symbolic narratives to sway public opinion. Rahul Gandhi’s presser, with its focus on an allegedly repeated photo on voter rolls and claims of “duplicate voting,” represents a novel approach to highlighting alleged systemic flaws, while the BJP’s reaction underscores the party’s readiness to counter such narratives with ridicule, critique, and appeals to institutional credibility.

As Bihar goes to the polls, both parties appear determined to use these exchanges to consolidate their voter bases. For the Congress, the “H-Files” presser is a rallying point for its supporters, signaling vigilance against perceived electoral malpractices. For the BJP, dismissing the presser as “laughable” serves to portray the Congress as disconnected from substantive governance and developmental issues, thereby framing the party as more competent and reliable in the eyes of the electorate.

Observers note that such exchanges are not likely to abate before the conclusion of polling. The first phase of the Bihar assembly elections, covering 121 constituencies in 18 districts, began on November 6, while the second phase is scheduled for November 11. With results due on November 14, both parties are acutely aware that narrative control during this period could influence voter perception, turnout, and, ultimately, the electoral outcome.

Ultimately, the debate over Rahul Gandhi’s allegations highlights a broader tension in Indian politics: the balance between raising concerns about electoral integrity and maintaining faith in democratic institutions. While the Congress asserts that its actions are intended to expose fraud and protect voter rights, the BJP portrays these efforts as politically motivated and disruptive. The exchange of barbs, epitomized by Supriya Shrinate’s “chup baith” retort and BJP leaders’ “laughable” jibe, reflects not only the intensity of electoral competition but also the increasingly personalized nature of political discourse in India.

As the Bihar elections proceed, political observers and analysts will be watching closely to see whether allegations such as those raised in “The H-Files” influence voter sentiment, and how parties navigate the complex interplay of institutional credibility, electoral integrity, and campaign messaging in a highly polarized environment. The unfolding scenario also underscores the continuing role of social media and public statements in shaping political narratives, where even a single presser or tweet can trigger nationwide debate and coverage.

In conclusion, the BJP and Congress feud over Rahul Gandhi’s presser represents a microcosm of contemporary Indian electoral politics—one in which allegations, counter-allegations, media attention, and strategic communication converge to influence the democratic process. While Gandhi’s “H-Files” presser seeks to highlight perceived electoral irregularities in Haryana, the BJP’s forceful dismissal and framing of the claims as laughable demonstrates a proactive approach to controlling political narratives. As Bihar casts its votes, the debate will continue, illustrating the enduring interplay between political strategy, public perception, and the dynamics of electoral contests in India.

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