Something suspicious in BJP’s LS poll clean sweep: Himachal Congress chief Pratibha Singh

Backing Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s charges of irregularities in elections, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Pratibha Singh today alleged that there was something suspicious in the clean sweep the BJP has been making in the Lok Sabha polls in the state. “We have been watching elections in the state since long and we had never witnessed the victory margins of four to five lakh votes. At best, the margin would be around 1.5 lakh votes,” she said while talking to mediapersons here today.

Talking about the last Lok Sabha elections, which the BJP swept in the state by winning all four seats, the Congress state chief said she had doubts about the last Lok Sabha elections too, including the result of the Mandi parliamentary seat. “In the Mandi parliamentary seat, the BJP fielded a candidate who had no connection with politics and had no experience. Yet, she won with a good margin against a candidate who had a good vote bank in the constituency,” said Pratibha Singh.

She further said she and other party people had doubts in their minds but had no proof. “I am grateful to Rahul Gandhi that he has exposed the scam and shown how the BJP was getting its votes,” she said, accusing the BJP of weakening democracy and constitutional institutions.

She further claimed that Gandhi’s allegations about fake votes and vote theft were factual and required a thorough investigation by the Election Commission. She also criticised the Election Commission’s response to Gandhi’s allegations as irresponsible, claiming it was under pressure from the central government.

The HPCC president urged the party leaders and workers to support Gandhi in his fight to protect democracy and prevent vote theft. “The Congress party will not back down from defending democracy and the constitution,” she said.