Congress Raises Alarm Over BJP-Backed Survey, Calls It ‘Vote Chori’ Propaganda

On January 2, 2026, Congress supporter Armaan (@Mehboobp1) sparked a heated debate on X (formerly Twitter) by accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to whitewash allegations of vote chori—a term referring to alleged vote theft—through a recently published survey. The survey, conducted by GRAAM (Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement) and reported by journalist Bharath Joshi in the Deccan Herald, has come under scrutiny due to perceived biases.

Armaan’s tweet questioned the credibility of the survey, noting that GRAAM’s founder, Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, is a known admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The journalist Bharath Joshi, according to the tweet, has ties to BJP leaders B.L. Santosh and Tejasvi Surya, raising concerns that the article might serve political propaganda rather than impartial reporting.

The survey itself, titled “Lok Sabha Elections 2024 - Evaluation of Endline Survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of Citizens”, highlighted that 91.31% of respondents believe elections are free and fair, while 83.6% trust EVMs for accurate vote counting. It also reported voter influence factors, such as candidate impact (44.9%) and moral ambiguity in reported voter practices (27.9%), across Karnataka’s urban and rural demographics.

Congress leaders, including Priyank Kharge, dismissed the survey as “statistically weak and biased,” arguing that its results contradict multiple allegations of electoral misconduct against BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, BJP representatives hailed the survey as proof of public trust in the electoral process, highlighting a clash between data interpretation and political narratives.

Political analysts note that this controversy reflects India’s deepening polarization, where surveys, media reports, and research are increasingly scrutinized for political alignment rather than methodology. While the survey suggests high public confidence in EVMs, Congress supporters argue that surveys commissioned by organizations with possible ideological leanings cannot substitute independent oversight.

Future Implications:

This dispute underscores the urgent need for transparent, unbiased election monitoring. Experts recommend:

1. Third-party audits of survey methodologies.
2. Increased public access to raw data to evaluate claims independently.
3. Promotion of non-partisan election awareness campaigns to restore trust in democratic processes.

By highlighting potential bias while acknowledging the survey's reported findings, the political discourse can shift from sensationalism to constructive debate—ensuring that India’s electoral integrity remains a priority over propaganda.

FAQs:

Q1: What does ‘vote chori’ mean?
‘Vote chori’ is Hindi for ‘vote theft,’ referring to allegations of manipulation in India’s elections.

Q2: Who conducted the controversial survey?
GRAAM (Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement), founded by Dr. R. Balasubramaniam in Mysuru.

Q3: Why is the survey criticized?
Congress supporters claim bias due to the founder’s perceived political leanings and the journalist’s alleged BJP connections.

Q4: Are the survey results reliable?
While the survey reports high public trust in elections and EVMs, critics argue that the political affiliations of those involved may influence interpretations.

Q5: What is the broader impact of this controversy?
It raises questions about survey credibility, media bias, and the need for non-partisan monitoring of elections in India.