Srinagar: Congress General Secretary Syed Naseer Hussain on Sunday slammed the BJP over allegations of “vote chori” and urged citizens to safeguard their votes.
Speaking at a Voter Adhikar Sammelan in Chandanwari, Uri, in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Hussain, who oversees party affairs in Jammu and Kashmir, accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of colluding with the BJP to manipulate elections in several states.
Describing “vote chori” as an “assault” on the country’s democratic system, Hussain warned people about the ongoing theft of their votes by the central government, allegedly carried out with the “full support and assistance of the ECI.”
Criticizing the BJP for allegedly rigging elections to maintain power, the AICC general secretary noted that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has already exposed these attempts at vote theft.
“The Congress will continue to highlight the BJP’s efforts to undermine India’s democracy. I appeal to citizens to rise and protect their votes, which are reportedly being manipulated systematically to favor the BJP,” he said.
Hussain also condemned the delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, calling it a “blow” to the aspirations and interests of the people.
“It is evident that the Centre is ruling the state directly through the LG, sidelining the elected government,” he added.
The Congress leader further urged the central government to approve a comprehensive financial package to compensate for losses in Kashmir’s fruit industry.
