Rahul Gandhi targets central government over linking welfare schemes to voter card

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has launched a sharp attack on the central government's decision announcing the use of voter ID instead of Aadhaar card for welfare schemes of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Rahul Gandhi has termed this as a deep conspiracy of the government.

Posting on the social media platform 'X', Rahul Gandhi alleged that in the guise of revision of voter lists, names of lakhs of people are being cut from the lists. According to him, especially those people are being targeted who are unhappy with the current regime.

The Congress leader also raised questions on the neutrality of the Election Commission and accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of bias. He said that such voter lists are being prepared through which election results can be influenced and then people will get the benefits of schemes on the basis of those very lists.

Rahul Gandhi expressed apprehension that in the coming days, this condition may also be applied to schemes like ration, pension, MGNREGA wages, stipends, and housing assistance. He said that casting a vote is the right of every citizen and it should not be made a condition for any government facility.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh had recently announced that it would be mandatory to provide voter card number and get biometric authentication for those receiving financial assistance under the schemes of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Key developments

• Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh had announced making voter card mandatory instead of Aadhaar for Panchayati Raj schemes.
• Rahul Gandhi termed this decision a government conspiracy and an attempt to snatch votes and rights.
• Rahul Gandhi also raised questions on the role of the Election Commission and made allegations of removing people's names from voter lists.