Pune Lawyer Responds to Viral Claims of Voting in Two States

Amid ongoing political tensions in India, a Pune-based lawyer has found herself at the centre of an online controversy following allegations of 'vote chori', or vote theft. The claims emerged during a recent political debate led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who pointed to discrepancies in voter rolls across various states, including an example featuring a former Brazilian model's name appearing multiple times.

The controversy intensified when the Maharashtra Congress shared posts from the lawyer, identified as Urrmi, who allegedly voted in Maharashtra and Bihar within a short timeframe. On November 6, 2025, Urrmi posted images on social media showing her inked fingers after casting her vote—one from the Lok Sabha elections in Pune in May 2024 and the other encouraging Bihar residents to vote during the current Assembly elections.

Atul Londhe Patil, the chief spokesperson for the Maharashtra Congress, cited Urrmi's posts as evidence of vote theft. He commented on social media, suggesting that Urrmi was attempting to cast votes in both states, thereby raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process.

Urrmi's initial post, featuring her right hand with ink after voting in Maharashtra, was dated May 13, 2024. In contrast, her second post, which displayed her left hand inked and encouraging voters in Bihar, was shared on November 6, 2025, leading to accusations of impropriety. Patil's post, which followed Urrmi's by several hours, included a sarcastic remark implying that she was attempting to 'steal' votes for the ruling party.

However, Urrmi quickly responded to the accusations, clarifying that her posts were meant to motivate voters rather than indicate that she had voted on the same day in two different states. "Okay, this was just for motivation. I never said I voted today. I said I voted. And everyone knows it was in Maharashtra. So calm down! Motivated enough? Now your turn, Bihar. Go Vote!!" she wrote in the comments of her post, addressing the growing confusion.

The images and allegations have since sparked widespread discussion on social media, with some users echoing suspicions about vote fraud while others sought further clarification from Urrmi about her voting status. Questions arose about her location, with one user asking if she was currently in Bihar, to which she confirmed that she was in Pune.

The incident highlights the heightened scrutiny surrounding India's electoral processes, especially in light of recent accusations by political leaders concerning voter fraud and the integrity of electoral rolls. The Maharashtra Congress's claims and Urrmi's subsequent clarification exemplify the complexities involved in India's current political landscape, where social media plays a significant role in shaping public perception.

As the Bihar Assembly elections continue, the situation serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by India in ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process. The discourse surrounding Urrmi's posts underscores the need for vigilance and clarity in the management of voter registration and the electoral system as a whole.