Kangana Ranaut Apologizes to Brazilian Woman Mistakenly Linked to Congress Vote Theft Claims

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has extended an apology to the Brazilian woman who unintentionally became central to Congress's allegations of electoral fraud in Haryana.

During the Lok Sabha debate focused on electoral reform measures, the Mandi representative emphasized that "every woman deserves her dignity" and criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for utilizing the Brazilian woman's image without permission.

"She has repeatedly clarified she has never visited India and has no connection to the Haryana elections. I apologize to her on behalf of Parliament. Violating personal image rights constitutes a serious offense. I deeply regret that her photograph was misused in this context," Ranaut stated.

While addressing Parliament during the debate, Gandhi reiterated his claim that a "Brazilian woman" appeared "22 times" on Haryana's electoral register. The photograph of the woman, later identified as Larissa Nery, went viral following Gandhi's serious allegations at a press conference. The image was subsequently discovered to be stock photography available across multiple websites.

Nery, who works as a hairdresser, explained in a social media video that the photograph was taken years earlier when she was 20. She clarified that she wasn't a professional model but had posed for the picture to assist a friend. The photographer had requested her permission to share the image online, which she granted. Since then, her photograph has been used by numerous publications as a representational image.

Ranaut suggested that the Opposition has engaged in "theatrical displays" regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process designed to purify voter lists. She noted that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha continued to deviate from the topic during his previous day's address.

"He said, 'khadi mein dhaage hain, dhaage mein log hain'. When asked to address the central issue, he responded that he was constructing his argument. Eventually, he returned to discussing that woman," she remarked.

Ranaut highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented numerous women-focused initiatives. "PM doesn't hack EVMs, he captures hearts," she declared.

She also directed criticism toward Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and questioned how her mother, veteran Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, allegedly participated in voting before acquiring citizenship. The BJP has previously made this assertion, which Priyanka Gandhi dismissed as "completely false."