Congress Holds ‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhor’ Rally in Bilaspur, Targets BJP Over Alleged Poll Irregularities
Raipur – The Congress on Tuesday organised a large public meeting in Bilaspur under the banner ‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhor’ (Vote thieves must quit power), where senior leaders launched a sharp attack on the ruling BJP, accusing it of coming to power through electoral malpractice and neglecting public issues.
Addressing the gathering, Congress in-charge for Chhattisgarh Sachin Pilot said that the people will not forgive those who came to power by “stealing votes.” He alleged that democracy was being deliberately weakened and accused the BJP of using central agencies like the ED and CBI against opponents. Pilot remarked that the BJP’s “double-engine government” is only producing smoke, not solutions, and questioned why no raids were ever carried out against BJP leaders.
Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said Congress leaders should make it clear that their government did not lose due to lack of performance, but because of “vote theft.” Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s earlier claims of evidence, Baghel said, “A hydrogen bomb against vote theft will explode soon.” He also raised concerns about rising electricity bills and farmers’ distress.
State Congress President Deepak Baij accused the BJP of forming the government through a “nexus with the Election Commission” and said that people in Chhattisgarh were suffering due to poor education, power, and agricultural supply systems. He added that protests would be intensified across villages, markets, and towns. From the stage, he declared, “Everyone knows who the biggest vote thief in the country is — Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Leader of Opposition Charandas Mahant alleged that records of 44 assembly constituencies had been tampered with during the elections and demanded an explanation for why electoral records were being erased. Senior leader T.S. Singhdeo said that election dates were being decided from the BJP office before being formally announced by the Election Commission.
Other leaders, including Tamradhwaj Sahu, Shivkumar Dahariya, Devendra Yadav, and Arun Vora, also addressed the rally, echoing the demand for accountability and pledging to take the agitation against alleged “vote theft” to every corner of the state.
The rally drew a large crowd, with party workers and supporters thronging the venue to hear the leaders, who repeatedly raised slogans demanding the BJP to “vacate power.”
