‘Not a 4-5 day protest’: Rahul vows to continue fight over ‘vote chori’

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday asserted that the INDIA bloc's agitation against alleged “vote chori” was not a short-term protest but part of a sustained political campaign to protect democracy and the Constitution, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar of undermining democratic institutions.

In a video posted on X while travelling by bus to Rajghat after a lunch meeting at Connaught Place, Gandhi alleged that India's democratic institutions and constitutional framework had suffered extensive damage over the past 10 to 15 years.

“The matter is serious. The matter is from the last 10-15 years. India's democracy, its democratic functioning, its Constitution have been damaged and destroyed,” Gandhi said.

The Congress leader maintained that the Opposition's campaign against alleged electoral manipulation would continue beyond the ongoing demonstrations in the national capital.

Alleges electoral manipulation

Gandhi claimed that the Opposition had initially raised concerns about electoral irregularities and subsequently presented evidence of alleged “vote theft” in several states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.

He also referred to reported objections raised by two Election Commissioners concerning decisions related to the electoral system.

“And a few days ago, two Election Commissioners wrote letters to the CEC, saying that India's electoral system has collapsed,” Gandhi claimed.

The remarks came amid the INDIA bloc's continuing protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and its demand for Kumar's resignation.

Gandhi said the campaign should not be viewed merely as a series of demonstrations lasting a few days, but as a broader effort to secure accountability and justice for citizens.

“You may think this is a 4-5-day protest, but this is an ongoing protest. The protest is to give justice to the citizens of India,” he said.

Calls for accountability

The Congress leader alleged that Prime Minister Modi, Shah, Kumar and others had contributed to the erosion of democratic institutions and said those responsible should face investigation.

He claimed that the ongoing political action would eventually lead to a change in government, following which an inquiry would be conducted into the alleged damage to democracy.

Gandhi also said that those found responsible should face punishment, presenting the demand as one shared by Opposition parties and citizens.

In a post accompanying the video, he emphasised that protecting the Constitution, democracy and the people's voice was the responsibility of every Indian.

He said the process of delivering justice, restoring public confidence in democratic institutions and holding those responsible accountable had already begun.

“And now, this is not going to stop,” Gandhi asserted.

Opposition gathers at Rajghat

The remarks came as INDIA bloc leaders assembled at Rajghat on Thursday, marking the third consecutive day of demonstrations against the CEC and alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision exercise.

Prominent Opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and reiterated their demand for Kumar's resignation.

The Opposition described the gathering as a peaceful demonstration inspired by the principles of satyagraha and pledged to continue its campaign.

The Rajghat protest followed two days of demonstrations in central Delhi during which several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were detained by police.

The alliance has maintained that its agitation will continue until its concerns over electoral transparency and the conduct of the Election Commission are addressed.

BJP rejects allegations

The Bharatiya Janata Party rejected Gandhi's allegations, with party president Nitin Nabin criticising the Congress leader's approach to the protests.

Nabin challenged Gandhi to resign if he had the courage and accused him of displaying an “anarchic mindset”.

The BJP has maintained that the Opposition's allegations against the Election Commission are politically motivated.

The Election Commission has separately defended its decision-making process, asserting that its orders follow established statutory procedures and carry legal sanction.

The controversy has intensified following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections to several decisions, particularly those concerning the SIR exercise.

The poll body has maintained that differences of opinion are a normal part of institutional deliberations.

With the INDIA bloc preparing to continue its demonstrations, the dispute over electoral roll revisions and the functioning of the Election Commission remains at the centre of the confrontation between the Opposition and the ruling BJP.