B.P. Yatnal alleges ‘bogus voting’ by Muslims, defends CEC Gyanesh Kumar and targets Congress
Expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Sunday alleged widespread irregularities in electoral rolls and polling by Muslims, claimed that such practices have historically benefited the Congress, and mounted a strong defense of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Speaking to reporters in Davangere, he also accused Congress leaders old and new of electoral malpractices and criticized the Kerala government for reopening an inquiry against the CEC.
Allegations of bogus voting and objections in Vijayapura
Yatnal asserted that fraudulent voting is being carried out by Muslims and that objections have been submitted against their inclusion in electoral rolls in Vijayapura. “I am convinced that it is the Muslims and not Hindus who are bogus voters. I have seen several Muslim men and women wear a burkha and vote several times. That is why we have submitted objections against their inclusion in the electoral rolls in Vijayapura,” he said.
The expelled BJP leader said he had personally witnessed multiple instances of what he described as bogus voting by Muslims. He added that he had not seen any such cases involving Hindus.
Charge that Congress benefits from irregularities
Yatnal alleged that voters engaging in irregularities have supported the Congress “for decades,” claiming the practice is widespread across the country. “They have been helping the Congress with their fake votes and bogus voting for decades. It happens across the country. It is no secret,” he said. He linked his allegations to the ongoing exercise by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to “clean up” electoral rolls, which he said had upset Congress leaders. “Now that the Election Commission of India, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, is trying to clean up the electoral rolls and that has upset the Congress leaders,” he added.
Attack on Congress leadership and historical allegations
Responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “vote chor” (vote thief), Yatnal asserted that the “real ‘vote chor’” was India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is going around calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a ‘vote chor’. I will tell you who was the real ‘vote chor’. It was Jawaharlal Nehru. He brought his party to power through electoral offences like bogus voting and booth capturing,” he said.
Defense of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Yatnal praised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as a “great officer” and defended him against criticism. “Mr. Gyanesh Kumar is a great officer. It is because of his relentless efforts during the SIR that ensured West Bengal is part of India today. Otherwise, it would have become a part of Bangladesh. Complaints against him are meaningless. He is in a constitutional position. Criticising him without proper reasons amounts to insulting the Constitution,” Yatnal said.
He contended that current scrutiny and objections to the ECI’s work are politically motivated and that the Commission’s efforts to maintain the integrity of electoral rolls should be supported.
Criticism of Kerala government’s inquiry
On reports that the Kerala government had reopened an inquiry against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Yatnal dismissed the move as insignificant. “There are allegations against every officer. Who does not face allegations during his service? It is nothing,” he said.
He went on to cite unrelated allegations involving Congress leaders and their families, framing them as rhetorical questions about selective scrutiny. “There is an allegation that Rahul Gandhi sexually assaulted a Dalit woman in Amethi. Will they reopen the investigation into that? There are allegations of idol theft against some members of Sonia Gandhi’s family. Will they reopen an investigation against them?” he said.
Context and significance
Yatnal’s comments come amid ongoing political contention over voter roll revisions and the role of the ECI. His remarks align with a broader pattern of sharply polarized claims around electoral integrity and the conduct of political opponents, as well as personal defenses and attacks centered on high-profile figures. In Davangere on Sunday, he intertwined allegations of voting fraud, historical accusations against Congress leaders, and a full-throated endorsement of the current Chief Election Commissioner’s leadership.
What’s next
While Yatnal indicated that formal objections have been filed against certain voter entries in Vijayapura, he did not detail the process or timeline for outcomes. The ECI’s ongoing work on electoral rolls and any official response to the Kerala government’s inquiry into the CEC were not addressed at the briefing. No immediate reactions from the Congress, the ECI, or the Kerala government were available at the time of his statements.
Yatnal’s comments were made to reporters in Davangere on Sunday and were published on October 4, 2026, at 8:56 pm IST.
