Ahead of Independence Day, Congress announces nationwide ‘battle’ against ‘vote chori’
On the eve of Independence Day, at midnight, the party will hold ‘mashaal processions’ in all state headquarters across the country, says Kanhaiya Kumar
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc members during their protest over the issues of 'poll fraud' and Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, at the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi, on Tuesday. PTI Photo
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Terming the “vote chori” a “do‑or‑die” moment for the party, the Congress on Tuesday announced a major, countrywide political “battle” ahead of Independence Day, saying the very existence of the country is at stake.
The party chose Kanhaiya Kumar, its youth leader from Bihar, to announce its mega plan against the "vote chori" allegation on PM Narendra Modi-led government, while also questioning the credibility of the Election Commission (EC). The move assumes significance since Kumar hails from a poll-bound state where the grand old party aims to dethrone the JDU-BJP government with RJD.
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The party has been accusing the poll body of colluding with the BJP to bring it to power.
After a meeting lasting over an hour with general secretaries, in-charges, and heads of frontal organisations — attended by the party’s top brass, including president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, and national general secretary KC Venugopal — Kumar told reporters that on the eve of Independence Day at midnight, the party will hold “mashaal processions” in all state headquarters across the country. He also said that from August 22 to September 7, the Congress will organise "vote chor, ghadi chod" processions.
Additionally, Kumar said the party will launch a signature campaign from September 15 to October 15.
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“LOP Rahul Gandhi has presented to the nation how democracy has been strangled in this country,” Kumar told reporters. He said that, after Independence, it had been decided that “sevaks” (workers) would be selected through voting. “This system is being weakened. The Constitution is being weakened. It is a do‑or‑die situation for the Congress, which fought for the country’s independence,” Kumar added.
“The ‘one person, one vote’ right is being taken away,” he said. He added that the Congress will fight for this.
“This is not a political battle but an ideological one. It concerns the very existence of India. The Congress, along with the Opposition INDIA bloc, has pledged to save it,” he said.
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