TFP Bureau, Raipur, September 18, 2025: The Congress party’s three-day “Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod” campaign reached a peak of activity on its concluding day with large-scale public mobilization in Rajnandgaon, Durg, and Bhilai. Coinciding with the ongoing “Vote Adhikar Yatra,” the campaign witnessed motorcycle rallies, foot marches, signature campaigns, and public meetings aimed at raising awareness about alleged irregularities in the voter lists and to highlight what the party calls a systematic attack on democracy by the BJP.
The day began with a massive rally in Rajnandgaon led by Chhattisgarh in-charge and Congress National General Secretary Sachin Pilot, accompanied by State Congress President Deepak Baij, Leader of Opposition Dr. Charandas Mahant, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, and former Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singhdeo. After offering floral tributes at the statues of Minimata and Chhattisgarh Mahtari and paying respects at a local Gurudwara, the leaders launched a signature campaign at Gurunanak Chowk. The event then transformed into a spirited bike rally, with thousands of supporters joining in, filling the streets with slogans demanding protection of voter rights.
Addressing the gathering, Sachin Pilot said that vote theft was “a grave threat to democracy,” and alleged that the BJP was using advanced technology to manipulate voter lists. “Rahul Gandhi has already exposed evidence of names being deleted and marked fraudulently. This shows collusion between the ruling party and the Election Commission. Our fight is to take this truth to every citizen,” he declared. Pilot described the “Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod” movement as more than a slogan, calling it a mass uprising against injustice and a direct challenge to the misuse of power.
At Minimata Chowk in Durg and Jamul Chowk in Bhilai, thousands gathered for marches and public meetings, where Congress leaders denounced the BJP for weakening democratic institutions. Deepak Baij accused the BJP of “tarnishing the sacred land of Chhattisgarh” and said the state’s people were waiting to end BJP’s rule. “Rahul Gandhi’s call has ignited this campaign, and under Sachin Pilot’s leadership, we are taking it to every household. The overwhelming public support gives us confidence that the struggle to restore democracy will succeed,” Baij said.
Leader of the Opposition Dr. Charandas Mahant raised concerns that the voices of the poor, farmers, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and backward classes were being systematically silenced through voter list manipulation. “Rahul Gandhi is fighting to protect the fundamental right to vote, which is being stolen from the weakest sections of society,” he told the crowd.
Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel struck a combative tone, alleging “vote theft, account theft, and electricity theft” by the BJP government in Chhattisgarh. He accused the Election Commission of ignoring Congress’s repeated complaints about voter list irregularities in the last Lok Sabha elections. “The BJP and the Election Commission are colluding. Multiple voter IDs for the same person, names deleted without reason, and tampered EVMs are proof of this conspiracy,” Baghel charged.
Former Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singhdeo echoed the criticism, highlighting the government’s failure to resolve basic issues like power cuts and farmers’ distress. “A government that cannot provide food security or electricity has no moral right to continue in office,” Singhdeo said, adding that the campaign was a reflection of the public’s frustration with misrule.
The Congress’s three-day campaign, which began on September 16 in Raigarh, covered multiple districts including Korba, Takhatpur, Mungeli, and Bemetara, before culminating in Rajnandgaon, Durg, and Bhilai. Events included torch rallies, signature drives, and foot marches, drawing support from diverse groups including Youth Congress, NSUI, Seva Dal, Mahila Congress, city and district committees, and villagers from remote areas.
Prominent leaders such as former ministers Tamradhwaj Sahu, Dr. Shivkumar Dahria, Amarjeet Bhagat, Umesh Patel, Anila Bhedia, and Guru Rudra Kumar, along with MLAs Devendra Yadav, Sangeeta Sinha, Harshita Baghel, Daleshwar Sahu, Bholaram Sahu, Indrasav Mandavi, Kunwar Singh Nishad, and Janak Ram Dhruv, were present. Former MLA Vikas Upadhyay and senior organizational leaders including S.A. Sampat Kumar, Jarita Laitphlang, Vijay Jangid, and Malkit Singh Gaidu also participated.
With overwhelming public turnout, enthusiastic slogans, and widespread support across districts, the “Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod” campaign has emerged as one of the Congress party’s most visible mass movements in recent years. Leaders described it as a “battle for democracy” that will continue beyond rallies and marches until voter rights are fully protected and accountability is restored.
