Bhopal: In a major escalation of its campaign against the alleged manipulation of the electoral process, the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) held a high-stakes press conference on Wednesday to address the “vote theft” issue raised by Rahul Gandhi. The event saw a powerful show of unity, with key leaders, including AICC in-charge Harish Chaudhary, PCC President Jitu Patwari, and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha, asserting that the party is fighting a decisive battle to protect India’s democratic foundations.
Questioning the integrity of Constitutional Institutions
AICC in-charge Harish Chaudhary opened the press conference by stating that the Modi government is systematically eroding the constitutional rights of citizens. He framed Rahul Gandhi’s allegations as a critical fight for democracy, claiming that prior fears over the new Chief Election Commissioner selection process are now proving to be true. “The Congress party is committed to safeguarding the rights of the common voter,” he declared.
Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha echoed these sentiments, questioning the Election Commission’s (EC) impartiality. “The entire nation wants to know whether the Election Commission stands with the Constitution and democracy, or with a single political party,” he said. He expressed alarm over the EC’s refusal to meet with over 300 protesting MPs and its subsequent demand for an affidavit from Rahul Gandhi, which he called a “serious question mark on the EC’s accountability.”
A fight for democracy, not political gain
PCC President Jitu Patwari emphasized that the “vote theft” issue is not about political gain but a fight to “save rights and democracy.” He criticized the EC for not issuing a digital voter list despite the government’s push for a cashless and paperless economy. He further claimed that a “frightened” Election Commission had shut down its website after the allegations were made public, reinforcing the party’s belief that this is a nationwide struggle to preserve democracy.
Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar accused the EC of acting as a “puppet of the BJP,” alleging that it is deleting crucial data within a mere two months, a violation of the Constitution. He asserted that this is not just a Congress issue but a battle for every citizen’s right to have their vote counted fairly. The leaders collectively urged every citizen to take responsibility for protecting their vote and their democracy.
