RAIPUR: The opposition Congress on Tuesday launched a three-day “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod Abhiyan” (thief of votes, give up the seat) padyatra campaign from Raigarh to highlight the alleged irregularities in the voter lists among the masses in Chhattisgarh.
The programme commenced with a public rally addressed by the party state in-charge Sachin Pilot and the signature campaign.
While blaming the BJP for alleged vote theft and claiming that the Election Commission (EC) took no notice of evidence of “electoral wrongdoing”, Pilot said, “The time has come for all to get aware, understand and fight for the right as a voter. Rahulji has given evidence on vote theft. Everyone respects and submits before the might of democracy but we will never tolerate any conspiracy intended to plunder the democracy”.
The party leaders stated that the evidence presented by the Leader of Opposition Rajul Gandhi about the 'irregularities' in the country’s electoral system, particularly the voters list, is serious and raises questions over the fairness of recent elections.
The Chhattisgarh home minister Vijay Sharma said that the Congress should not spread confusion and mislead the people in the name of ‘voter theft’.
From Raigarh, the three-day padyatra will pass through Korba, Takhatpur, Mungeli, Bemetara, Rajnandgaon, Durg and culminate at Bhilai on September 18 covering a distance of over 530 km in the state.
The Congress during the programme has planned to organise foot-march, signature campaigns, torch processions, motorcycle rallies and public meetings, said Sushil Anand Shukla, chairman Congress media cell.
“The functioning of the Election Commission has been under suspicion for the last few years. Why EC is denying digital voter lists to political parties. The elections of the country were being rigged and votes stolen”, alleged Deepak Baij, state Congress president.
The leader of opposition Charandas Mahant, former CM Bhupesh Baghel, former deputy CM T S Singhdeo, party secretaries S Sampat, Jarita Laitphlang, Vijay Jangid, along with senior leaders, office bearers, workers and supporters will attend the padyatra campaign.