Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Goa, Oct 18: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of implementing alleged vote theft, claiming that Union Home Minister Amit Shah operationalised it and Prime Minister Narendra Modi orchestrated the plan.

Addressing a public meeting in Margao after participating in the Congress’ ‘Goy Rakhon Yatra’, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the three were responsible for what he described as ‘vote chori’.

“Gyanesh Kumar implements the theft of votes, Amit Shah operationalises it, and Narendra Modi orchestrates the entire plan from behind the scenes,” he said.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha referred to the more than 45 defamation cases filed against him, including cases involving Shah and Modi. He claimed that despite repeatedly accusing the ruling leadership of stealing votes, no defamation case had been filed specifically over the allegation.

Gandhi alleged that those he accused were apprehensive that pursuing such a case would lead to a prolonged legal battle.

He said the Congress would ensure justice was served and asserted that the party would not accept what it considers an attack on the Constitution through alleged electoral malpractice.

“We are the guardians of the Constitution; we are its protectors. When these individuals stole votes and assaulted the Constitution, they also attacked our faith. We refuse to accept this,” he said.

Gandhi further warned that Modi, Shah and Kumar would face justice over the alleged wrongdoing.

He also criticised the Goa government over corruption, claiming that the state could be among the most corrupt in the country. He accused those in power of turning Goa into a model of corruption.

The Congress leader also expressed concern over the country's education system, alleging that student protesters were now being targeted with pellet guns, in contrast to India's earlier reputation for having a world-class education system.

Earlier, Gandhi participated in the Congress’ ‘Goy Rakhon Yatra’ in Margao, walking around two kilometres alongside party workers and leaders. He arrived at Dabolim airport in the afternoon to take part in the outreach programme.

He was accompanied by AICC Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare, co-in-charge Dr Anjali Nimbalkar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar, among others.

The 27-day ‘Goy Rakhon Yatra’, led by Alemao and Chodankar, began on September 22 and concluded on Sunday after covering all 40 Assembly constituencies in Goa.

The Congress said the campaign, whose name translates to a movement to protect Goa, aimed to safeguard the state's land, environment, cultural heritage and identity while strengthening the party's grassroots presence ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

During the campaign, the party raised concerns over land conversion, alleged land grabbing, unemployment, corruption, public safety and the preservation of Goa's social and cultural identity. The yatra also sought to engage local communities and bring their development-related concerns into public debate as the party prepares for the upcoming elections.