Daijiworld Media Network - Bhopal
Pachmarhi/Bhopal, Nov 9: In a charged address from the serene hills of Pachmarhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intensified his allegations of widespread “vote theft” (vote chori), describing it as a grave assault on Indian democracy and the Constitution crafted by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
“This is not just electoral malpractice — this is an attack on Bharat Mata herself,” Gandhi declared, speaking to party workers and media during his visit.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha was in Pachmarhi as part of the Congress party’s Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan — a campaign aimed at rejuvenating the party’s grassroots organisation and strengthening internal unity.
Gandhi accused the ruling establishment of manipulating the electoral rolls through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. “It’s nothing but a cover for vote chori,” he alleged. “Just days ago, I exposed the Haryana model, where 25 lakh votes were stolen — one out of every eight voters. This is their system, and it’s being replicated elsewhere.”
He further claimed that similar irregularities had surfaced in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. “The main issue is vote chori. We have the evidence, and we’ll make it public one by one,” Gandhi asserted, promising a phased disclosure.
The remarks come as Congress works to rebuild its organisational muscle ahead of upcoming elections. Addressing a training session for district presidents, Gandhi urged party workers to stay vigilant and united against electoral manipulation.
The event also saw a lighter moment when Gandhi, arriving late to the session, playfully submitted to a “disciplinary rule” set by training head Sachin Rao — latecomers must do 10 push-ups. Laughing, Gandhi dropped to the floor in his white T-shirt and trousers, completing the push-ups to cheers from party members, who soon joined in. “It was a fun and engaging way to build team spirit,” he later said, praising the enthusiasm of district leaders.
Before concluding his visit, Gandhi paid floral tribute at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Pachmarhi’s Gandhi Chowk — a symbolic gesture underscoring his appeal to defend democratic values through non-violent means.
He interacted warmly with locals, shaking hands and taking photos before leaving for Bhopal by helicopter, wrapping up this leg of the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan.
Gandhi’s allegations have triggered sharp reactions, with the BJP dismissing them as unfounded attempts to divert attention from the Congress’s recent electoral setbacks. The Election Commission has not yet issued an official response.