Punjab Cong launches ‘vote chor, gaddi chhod’ signature campaign in Phagwara

Under the directives of central leadership, Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel and state president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the Punjab Congress on Friday launched its ‘vote chor, gaddi chhod’ signature campaign in Phagwara.

The campaign was formally inaugurated by Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, MLA from Phagwara and president of the Kapurthala District Congress Committee, who announced that party workers will reach out to households to raise awareness about alleged voter fraud.

Dhaliwal, while issuing a pamphlet, urged the Election Commission of India to make voter lists publicly available in a readable format with photographs for scrutiny before every election. He stressed the need for updated lists, including additions and deletions, to be released transparently and well in advance. Dhaliwal also called for an accessible grievance redressal mechanism for voters whose names have been wrongly deleted, along with a clear cut-off date to prevent last-minute changes. Emphasising accountability, he demanded legal action against officials or agents found guilty of deliberately suppressing voters.

Outlining the next phase of the campaign, Dhaliwal said that signatures of constituents would be collected through a form and submitted to the Election Commission of India to press for these demands.

Prominent local leaders present at the event included Dr Raman Sharma, former sarpanch Dalip Kumar Laddi of Kanshi Nagar, Sunil Pandey, Yogesh Konal and Daljit Singh Nambardar of Maiuppatti.