The internet has been buzzing ever since Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that the photo of a Brazilian model appeared 22 times in the Haryana voter list. The model at the center of this unexpected controversy is Larissa, who had no idea that her image was being used in Indian election records. Her reaction, shared through a video, quickly went viral and became a major talking point across India’s social media platforms.
The incident has now raised serious questions about voter data accuracy and identity verification during elections, especially in a country as large and diverse as India. But before we get into the political angle, let’s understand what happened and how the model reacted.
How The Controversy Began
During a press conference, Rahul Gandhi raised concerns about what he called large-scale voter list manipulation in Haryana. He introduced what he referred to as the “H-Files”, alleging that nearly 25 lakh voter entries were either duplicated or fake.
To support this claim, he displayed a voter list screenshot where the same woman’s photograph was used repeatedly, but with different names like:
- Seema
- Sweety
- Rashmi
- Saraswati
- Vilma
Rahul Gandhi then revealed that the woman in the photograph was not Indian at all, but a Brazilian model named Larissa.
This revelation left the public stunned and confused, sparking discussions about how such an error could occur in a verified government voter database.
The Model’s Reaction Goes Viral
Soon after Rahul Gandhi’s statement went public, Larissa herself came across the news. Shocked but also amused, she posted a video reacting to the situation.
In her own words, she said:
“Guys, I’m going to tell you something unbelievable. They used an old picture of mine in elections in India, pretending I’m Indian. What a mess!”
She laughed while speaking, clearly bewildered at how her photo ended up in a political voter list thousands of kilometers away.
She also revealed that her workplace even received calls from reporters trying to contact her for interviews.
“A reporter contacted my work, asking about this election matter. And then a friend from another city sent me the voter list screenshot. I was shocked!”
The video quickly spread online, especially across Indian social media, where users reacted with a mix of humor, disbelief, and concern.
Social Media Reactions: Funny, Shocked, And Concerned
Indian netizens rarely miss a chance to comment on trending controversies — and this one was no exception. Social media was filled with:
- Memes joking about how India has found a “global voter”.
- Comments questioning the voter verification system.
- Surprised reactions wondering how overseas images entered the list.
Many users said that while Larissa’s reaction was funny and harmless, the situation itself pointed to a serious loophole in election data management. Others joked that India had just become a “global democracy” where even foreigners are unknowingly included.
The Political Angle: Rahul Gandhi’s Allegation
Rahul Gandhi used this example to highlight what he claimed to be voter fraud in Haryana during the 2024 assembly elections. According to him:
- Almost one in every eight voter entries was either duplicated or fake.
- Thousands of entries had mismatched names and photos.
- Some entries allegedly linked to non-existent people.
He questioned:
“Who is responsible for these repeated and false voter entries?”
He also accused the ruling BJP-led government in Haryana of allowing voter list manipulation to influence election outcomes.
The Congress party later shared the details on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), calling it a serious threat to democracy.
The Response From The Government
On the other side, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s claims. They accused the Congress of spreading misinformation and trying to create unnecessary panic.
They argued that voter lists are prepared and reviewed by the Election Commission of India, not the state government, and that any errors can be corrected through standard procedures.
However, the viral nature of Larissa’s reaction has kept the story alive, and many people continue to ask how such errors initially went unnoticed.
Why This Incident Matters
At first glance, this may seem like just another viral social media moment. But it also highlights important issues:
1. Data Accuracy Concerns
India is the world’s largest democracy, and its voter list contains millions of entries. Even small errors can affect trust in the election process.
2. Identity Verification Challenges
Misuse of photos indicates either technical mistakes or poor verification methods.
3. Public Accountability
Incidents like this raise questions about transparency and responsibility in data handling.
4. Global Visibility
Because the model is international, the issue has now gained attention beyond India.
Conclusion
What began as a political statement has now turned into a national — and even global — conversation. Brazilian model Larissa’s reaction added a human and humorous element to what is otherwise a serious issue about voter identity and election transparency.
While the political debate continues, one thing is clear: India must ensure that its voter database remains secure, accurate, and appropriately verified. Because in a democracy, every vote matters — and every identity matters even more.