Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday launched a blistering attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, hours after Gandhi accused the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of orchestrating large-scale “vote chori.”

Speaking at a press conference, Thakur said, “The Congress has lost approximately 90 elections under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. His frustration is increasing day-by-day. He has made politics of allegations his ornament. It has become a habit of Rahul Gandhi to make incorrect and baseless allegations. Seeking apology and being reprimanded by courts have become a routine of Rahul Gandhi.”

Thakur also mocked Gandhi’s promise to drop a “hydrogen bomb” of voter fraud, adding, “While Rahul Gandhi promised a hydrogen bomb today, he ended up showing only firecrackers.” He accused the Congress leader of attempting to create “Bangladesh and Nepal-like situations in India” by questioning democratic institutions and misleading the public after repeated electoral defeats.

Rahul Gandhi, during his press conference, had alleged that voter names were being deleted using software manipulation and fake applications, targeting minorities. Gandhi claimed he was receiving inside information from the ECI to expose systemic fraud in constituencies like Aland in Karnataka. “Once the youth comes to know that vote chori is happening, their power will come,” Gandhi warned.

The Election Commission of India dismissed all allegations, calling them “incorrect and baseless.” The ECI clarified, “No deletion of any vote can be done online by any member of the public, as misconceived by Rahul Gandhi. No deletion can take place without giving an opportunity of being heard to the affected person. Allegations against CEC Gyanesh Kumar are baseless and incorrect.”