Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 1: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday addressed the INDIA bloc's rally in the national capital, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and vowing to protect democracy and the Constitution by ensuring that the poll panel chief faces trial and goes to jail over alleged "vote chori".

Addressing the bloc's 'Dilli Chalo' rally at Ramlila Maidan, Rahul Gandhi said the alleged electoral wrongdoing by Gyanesh Kumar was not an ordinary offence.

"The vote chori carried out by him (CEC Gyanesh Kumar) is of the 'rarest of rare' category in legal terms," he said.

Accusing the CEC of facilitating electoral manipulation through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the removal of 13.5 crore names from electoral rolls, Rahul Gandhi said, "What Gyanesh Kumar has done for PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah tantamounts to treason and theft of the voice of every citizen."

He asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would also have to face consequences for allegedly attacking the Constitution and democracy.

"While Home Minister Shah announces that PM Modi is not going anywhere, we want to tell them that we will not let them (PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah) go anywhere till they face the consequences of their acts," Rahul Gandhi said, alleging irregularities in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and several Assembly polls.

He said the large gathering at Ramlila Maidan represented the voices of the youth, farmers and workers, sending a strong message to those involved in "vote chori" that people would fight and defeat them.

"The people who have gathered here are sending the message that no matter who you are or how powerful and wealthy you are, you are not bigger than the Constitution. The Constitution is supreme," he said, describing the rally as a collective show of strength to protect democracy.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed that CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were experiencing sleepless nights over their alleged involvement in "vote chori" and the consequences they could face.

"The Prime Minister, Home Minister Amit Shah and CEC Gyanesh Kumar have attacked the soul, democracy and Constitution of the nation but we will not tolerate this," he said.

Rahul Gandhi added that citizens did not want a country marked by hatred and violence or one controlled by a handful of wealthy people.

He also accused the Union government and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of controlling national institutions and government agencies.

Claiming that he had no enemies and believed in brotherhood and non-violence, Rahul Gandhi revived his slogan, "Mohabat ki Dukan", assuring thousands of supporters at the venue that the "Mohabat ki Dukan is about to reopen soon".