PATNA: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused ruling BJP of attempting to manipulate elections across India and said efforts were being made to repeat the same in the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar. Addressing people at the launch of the 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' at Sasaram in Bihar's Rohtas district, Rahul reiterated his resolve to not allow the manipulation of votes in the forthcoming assembly elections in Bihar.
"People of Bihar will also not allow BJP to manipulate votes," he asserted. The Congress MP said, "I am telling you from this stage that Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha elections are being stolen across the country. Their latest conspiracy is to conduct the special intensive revision (SIR) in Bihar and steal the Bihar elections as well. All of us have come to this stage to tell you that we will not let them steal this election."
He also raised concerns over the Election Commission's handling of data after the elections. "When I held a press conference on vote theft, Election Commission asked me to submit an affidavit. When BJP leaders held a press conference a few days ago, no affidavit was demanded from them," he alleged.
The Leader of the Opposition expressed his surprise at the question asked of him. "The Election Commission asked me to submit an affidavit that the data is correct. I want to say that the data is yours (EC's). Then why are you asking for an affidavit," he asked, adding that Election Commission is working in tandem with the BJP.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion. "He (Modi) is a very dangerous man. Unless you remove him from power, your votes, rights, freedom, and even the Constitution will not remain safe," he warned, urging people to defend democratic institutions and particularly in the electoral process.
Speaking on the occasion, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav issued a stern warning at the launch of 'Vote Adhikar Yatra'. Slamming the BJP and the Election Commission, he said, "The people of BJP, PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are trying to damage the sanctity of the Indian Constitution. But Mahagathbandhan will not let democracy end from the land of democracy." RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Congress leaders Kanhaiya Kumar and Rajesh Ram and other leaders of Mahagathbandhan or grand alliance spoke on the occasion.