The Brazilian hairdresser clarifies her photo was just a stock image.

The woman at the center of a new political storm, Brazilian model Larissa, has broken her silence after her photo was used by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi during his recent press conference. Gandhi used her photo to support his 'vote theft allegation', saying it was on the Haryana voter list 22 times.

Larissa, however, has clarified that she has no connection to Indian politics and was surprised to see her face in the news.

In a video message, the woman, who now works as a hairdresser, explained that the image was an old stock photo from her early modelling days. "I have absolutely nothing to do with politics in India," she stated. "My photo was purchased from a stock image platform and used without my involvement. It’s not me, I’ve never even been to India."

Her clarification came after Gandhi, during his "H-Files" presentation, alleged that the 2024 Haryana Assembly polls were "stolen." He claimed the Congress press conference showed proof of 25 lakh fake entries, using Larissa’s photo as a key example, which appeared with names like "Seema" and "Sweety."

Larissa mentioned her Instagram account was "flooded" with comments from people in India. "Welcome, my Indian followers, to my Instagram!" she said. "People were commenting on my photos as if I was elected! Just to be clear, it wasn’t me, it was only my photo."

She also revealed that Indian journalists had been trying to contact the "mysterious Brazilian model," a title she found amusing since she no longer models. On a lighter note, she said she only knew the word "Namaste" but would learn more Indian words to "be famous in India."

Meanwhile, both the Election Commission and the BJP have dismissed the Rahul Gandhi vote theft allegation. Sources at the poll body noted that zero appeals were filed against the Haryana rolls, questioning how it could be determined that any such voters supported the BJP. The BJP also rejected the claims as "false and baseless."

Image Source: Hindustan