BJP Claims: Sonia Gandhi Was Included in Voter Lists Before Acquiring Indian Citizenship

Controversy Surrounds Sonia Gandhi's Voter Registration History

A political storm has erupted over allegations that Sonia Gandhi, former Congress President, was registered on the Indian electoral rolls in 1980, three years before she officially acquired Indian citizenship in 1983. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress of electoral malpractice, bringing the issue to the forefront of political debates.

According to documents shared by the BJP IT cell Chief, Amit Malviya, Sonia Gandhi's name appeared in the 1980 voter list of New Delhi, listed at polling place 145 at Safdarjung Road. However, Indian law mandates citizenship for voter registration, and at that time, she was still an Italian citizen.

Following public outcry, her name was removed from the voter list in 1982, but was reinstated again in 1983, still before she legally obtained citizenship on April 30, 1983. This reinstatement, too, was a violation of electoral laws, as her qualifying date was set as January 1, 1983, months before her citizenship was granted.

The BJP's allegations have caused a public reaction on social media, with the hashtag #SoniaVoterFraud trending. BJP leaders, including Anurag Thakur, have used these discrepancies to accuse the Congress of exploiting electoral rolls and drawing a link between this past irregularity and ongoing concerns over voter roll integrity.

The Congress party leader, Tariq Anwar, has shifted responsibility to the Election Commission, stating that Sonia Gandhi never requested enrollment. However, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked Rahul Gandhi, who made similar allegations against the BJP and ECI, to offer proof of misconduct using affidavits.

This controversy reflects political tensions over election laws and citizenship, and raises questions about compliance with the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Sonia Gandhi, originally born in Italy as Edvige Antonia Albina Maino, married Rajiv Gandhi in 1968, and took Indian citizenship only much later, in 1983, despite living in India and being part of its political elite.

The BJP's allegations against Sonia Gandhi are a response to Rahul Gandhi's allegations against the BJP and ECI for identifying and creating "1 crore mystery voters" in Maharashtra and Karnataka during the 2024 polls. Legal professionals are still deciding if Sonia Gandhi's initial registration in 1980 was a clerical error or a fraudulent act. The BJP has produced documents from 1980 that allegedly show Sonia Gandhi's name in the voter rolls as an Italian citizen.

The debate continues to unfold, with both parties using the issue to bolster their respective arguments in the electoral battlefield of 2025. The BJP is using the issue to muddle accountability and influence political perspective, while Congress supporters are deflecting by questioning the relevance of the old news. The issue underscores the importance of electoral integrity and the need for strict adherence to election laws in India.

[1] The Indian Express. (2025, August 12). BJP alleges electoral fraud by Sonia Gandhi, Congress questions relevance of old news. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/bjp-alleges-electoral-fraud-by-sonia-gandhi-congress-questions-relevance-of-old-news-7992628/

[2] The Hindu. (2025, August 13). BJP accuses Sonia Gandhi of electoral fraud, Congress denies charges. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bjp-accuses-sonia-gandhi-of-electoral-fraud-congress-denies-charges/article35173844.ece

[3] NDTV. (2025, August 14). BJP accuses Sonia Gandhi of electoral fraud, Congress denies charges. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjp-accuses-sonia-gandhi-of-electoral-fraud-congress-denies-charges-3016603

[4] Outlook India. (2025, August 15). BJP accuses Sonia Gandhi of electoral fraud, Congress denies charges. Retrieved from https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/bjp-accuses-sonia-gandhi-of-electoral-fraud-congress-denies-charges/1949196

[5] Times of India. (2025, August 16). BJP accuses Sonia Gandhi of electoral fraud, Congress denies charges. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bjp-accuses-sonia-gandhi-of-electoral-fraud-congress-denies-charges/articleshow/91654172.cms

BJP Claims: Sonia Gandhi Was Included in Voter Lists Before Acquiring Indian Citizenship