‘Huge criminal fraud’: Congress launches campaign against ‘vote chori’; urges citizens to register | India News
NEW DELHI: The Congress party rolled out a dedicated portal to rally public support behind Rahul Gandhi’s explosive allegations of large-scale poll rigging, which he has called “vote chori”.The platform allows citizens to register their backing for the Congress leader’s demand for digital voter rolls and to access what the party claims is proof of electoral fraud. The website hosts Gandhi’s video reiterating his charge of a “huge criminal fraud” carried out through alleged collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI). Citing analysis from a Karnataka constituency on Thursday, Gandhi called it “a crime against the Constitution.” Alongside the video, a message on the portal warns that “the vote is the foundation of our democracy, but it’s under systematic attack by the BJP, with the Election Commission complicit”. It claimed, “In just one assembly segment of Bangalore Central, we found over 1 lakh fake voters that helped the BJP win this Lok Sabha seat. Imagine this happening in 70-100 seats – it would destroy free elections.” The Congress asserted it has previously raised concerns in states like Maharashtra, but now has “proof”.“We will fight this vote chori with all our strength. Join us to defend our democracy,” the message adds. Visitors to the portal can register by clicking a link or by calling a phone number to receive a registration link via SMS. Once signed up, they receive a personalised certificate declaring their opposition to “vote chori” and stating, “I support Rahul Gandhi’s demand of digital voter rolls from the EC.” The document carries the signatures of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, general secretary K C Venugopal and treasurer Ajay Maken. Several party leaders and supporters have posted their certificates on social media to amplify the campaign. The move comes as the Election Commission doubles down on its pushback. On Saturday, poll officials again called on Gandhi to either sign a formal declaration backing his allegations or issue a public apology for making what they term “fake” charges. This followed a day of heated exchanges between the Congress leader and the EC over claims of voter list manipulation in at least three states.
