Rahul Gandhi on Sunday turned the BJP’s criticism of the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally into a sarcastic message of thanks, crediting the ruling party and its allies with widening publicity for the Delhi protest against “vote chori”.
The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha urged students, farmers, labourers, women, young people, traders and everyone who cares about democracy to join the “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” march.
"Names have been struck off the electoral rolls. Rules and laws have been flouted. And those who dared to ask questions were met with batons. Now, the nation will provide an answer." says Rahul's X post in Hindi.
The INDIA bloc rally is part of a series of Opposition protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and claimed poll irregularities involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that people’s votes were being stolen. “We will not tolerate this silently under any circumstances,” he said.
“Names have been struck off the electoral rolls. Rules and laws have been flouted. And those who dared to ask questions were met with batons. Now, the nation will provide an answer,” Rahul Gandhi said.
“November 1st — Chalo Delhi. ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ people’s march and mega rally,” he said. “Students, farmers, labourers, women, the youth, and traders — everyone who cares about democracy must join us.”
“The vote is yours. The fight is also yours,” Rahul Gandhi added.
Taking a swipe at the ruling party, he wrote: “PS: A heartfelt thank you to the BJP and its allies for promoting this event so enthusiastically and ensuring its call reaches as many people as possible.”
He urged them to keep the same energy and dedication going for the next seven days.
The BJP had on Saturday attacked the Congress over the rally’s timing, alleging that Rahul Gandhi was “adamant” about holding it on November 1 to rub salt into the wounds of victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, party MP Ravi Shankar Prasad claimed that many INDIA bloc constituents were unconvinced by the Congress’s plan to hold the rally on November 1 and wanted it rescheduled.
The BJP’s attack centred on its claim that the November 1 date would hurt Sikh sentiments because it coincided with the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom. The party also cited traders’ concerns over disruption to Diwali business.
Ahead of the rally, leaders of the Opposition alliance will hold a “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 30 and announce a public verdict against him.
Congress general secretary in charge of organisation K. C. Venugopal described the “Dilli Chalo march” to Ramlila Maidan as the party’s biggest against “vote chori”.
The Congress said the November 1 rally would send a strong message that the Opposition alliance was united in protecting democracy and “driving vote chors out of power”.
The October 30 “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would take the form of a “mock Parliament” at Hotel Ashok, where all Opposition MPs and top leaders were expected to be present.