Rahul accuses BJP of stealing votes, says Bihar will fight back
2
Patna: Congress leader
Rahul Gandhi
on Thursday accused the
BJP
of "stealing votes" with the support of the
Election Commission
and claimed the alleged practice was aimed at shaping the future of industrialists. He said Bihar would not allow it to happen again.
"Do you know why the vote theft is being done across the country? They want to rob your future and shape the future of big industrialists," Rahul told a gathering in Munger on the fifth day of his "Voter Adhikar Yatra".
Rahul returned to Bihar after a day's break and joined the yatra in Lakhisarai. Earlier in the day, RJD leader and leader of opposition in the state assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, had resumed the march in Sheikhpura in his absence.
Apprehending that even the last elections might have been manipulated, Rahul alleged, "BJP and the Election Commission are stealing votes in every state. Perhaps they even did it in the last election, but this time we have found out."
Standing atop an open jeep alongside INDIA bloc leaders, Rahul waved to crowds lining the roads. Groups of enthusiastic youths rushed forward to greet him and he shook hands with many, stopping frequently to interact with people.
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Earlier in the day, he wrote on social media that a govt formed by stealing votes had no interest in serving the public. "Since they don't even need your votes, they don't care about your problems either," he said. Citing demonetisation, the Covid crisis and the farmers' movement, he alleged that despite hundreds of lives being lost, PM Narendra Modi neither offered help nor expressed empathy. "Do you know why? Because this government wasn't chosen by you; it was formed by stealing votes.
Whether you live, die, or suffer – it makes no difference to them because they are confident they will return to power through theft."
Calling a clean voter list the foundation of free and fair elections, Rahul appealed to the masses not to let their rights slip away. He alleged record unemployment was destroying the future of youth while scams such as NEET, SSC and repeated paper leaks had crushed the dreams of lakhs of students.
"But the govt has simply turned a blind eye," he said.
Rahul also attacked the NDA govt over incidents of violence and terror. "From Pahalgam to Manipur, hundreds of lives have been lost, but the govt has not taken responsibility," he alleged. He added that train accidents and the collapse of roads and bridges had caused untimely deaths, yet accountability was missing.
The yatra, launched from Sasaram on Aug 17, is scheduled to conclude with a rally in Patna on Sept 1.
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