New Delhi, January 16, 2025: The ongoing municipal elections in Maharashtra have sparked a political storm over what is being called the ‘ink controversy’. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of misleading voters and eroding public trust in democracy.
Taking to social media platform X, Gandhi said that “vote theft is an anti-national act” and alleged that the Election Commission’s conduct was responsible for weakening democratic faith. His remarks came shortly after counting began for 29 municipal bodies, including the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 16, 2026
Vote Chori is an anti-national act. pic.twitter.com/3FZKkDPwDg
What Is the Ink Controversy?
Indelible ink is traditionally applied to a voter’s finger after casting a vote to prevent multiple voting. However, during the Mumbai Municipal elections, several videos surfaced online claiming that the ink applied to voters’ fingers could be easily wiped off using sanitiser or rubbing.
Opposition leaders alleged that at some polling booths, marker pens were used instead of indelible ink, raising concerns about the possibility of repeat voting and electoral manipulation. This allegation has come to be known as the ‘ink controversy’.
BJP’s Counterattack
The BJP strongly rejected Rahul Gandhi’s claims, accusing the opposition of attempting to discredit the Election Commission in anticipation of electoral defeat. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla described the opposition as an “excuse brigade”, saying Gandhi was doing what he does best — distorting facts and spreading misinformation.
Another BJP spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, said that whenever election results do not favour Congress, the party looks for institutions to blame. He added that trends in the BMC elections suggested a major setback for Congress.
Election Commission’s Response
Following the controversy, the State Election Commission ordered a detailed inquiry into the allegations. Officials said the authenticity of viral videos would be examined to determine whether the claims were genuine or misleading.
As the political blame game intensifies, the ‘ink controversy’ has become a flashpoint in the Mumbai Municipal elections, raising questions about electoral procedures while also highlighting the deepening political divide over trust in institutions.
