Congress to intensify campaign against ‘vote theft’: AICC spokesperson

AICC spokesperson Deepthi Mary Varghese addressing a press conference in Shivamogga on Monday. Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa and DCC president H.C. Yogesh are also seen.

The Congress will intensify its 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' campaign against the alleged theft of votes and hold a 'Delhi Chalo' rally on November 1, All India Congress Committee (AICC) spokesperson Deepthi Mary Varghese said in Shivamogga on Monday.

Addressing a press conference, she said the party had been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and had decided to step up the campaign against the alleged vote theft that, it claimed, had taken place under his leadership.

Ms. Varghese alleged that the Election Commission was acting on the instructions of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. She also alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner had ignored the objections of his two colleagues on Form 6, used for fresh enrolment in the voters’ list, and on other issues.

The Congress was fighting to safeguard the right to vote, an issue that concerned every citizen, she said. “Our campaign should not be seen as a political party’s campaign,” she said.

The party would take the campaign to the district and block levels, and would hold meetings at district and block centres in the coming days, she said.

Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa, District Congress Committee president H.C. Yogesh and others were present at the press conference.