‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chor’ Rally: Himachal Congress alleges bid to block contingent in Delhi
Shimla, Dec 14,
The Himachal Pradesh Congress on Sunday alleged that authorities were trying to prevent its contingent from reaching Ramlila Maidan in Delhi for the party’s major national rally, even as the Indian National Congress steps up its “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chor” campaign against the BJP-led central government.
Fatehpur MLA Bhawani Pathania, while broadcasting live from near Himachal Bhawan adjoining the Mandi House Metro Station, claimed that prohibitory orders under Section 144 had been imposed in the area by the Delhi administration. He alleged that the restrictions appeared aimed at detaining or slowing down Congress leaders and workers travelling from Himachal Pradesh to participate in the rally.
Pathania alleged that “all four engines of the BJP government” were acting in coordination and stated that there was an apparent attempt to stop the Himachal Congress contingent from proceeding to the rally venue. During the live broadcast, he showed several buses stationed in the vicinity bearing markings indicating police duty, claiming these had been requisitioned in anticipation of detaining party workers.
The rally at Ramlila Maidan is being organised by the Indian National Congress as part of its nationwide “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chor” campaign, through which the party has been accusing the BJP of undermining democratic processes, manipulating institutions, and subverting electoral mandates. The protest is drawing party leaders and supporters from several states and is being projected as a show of strength ahead of upcoming political battles.
Congress leaders present in Delhi suggested that the restrictions reflected nervousness within the ruling establishment over the scale and messaging of the rally. According to them, the intensity of the “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chor” campaign and its resonance across states may have pre-empted administrative action to regulate or restrict movement near key locations in the capital.
However, there was no immediate official response from the Delhi Police or the Delhi government clarifying the scope of Section 144 in the area or responding to the allegations of selective enforcement. The BJP had also not issued a reaction till the filing of this report.
Congress leaders maintained that their workers intended to participate peacefully in the rally and said they would seek clarity from the authorities on whether the restrictions were being applied uniformly or were targeted at opposition mobilisation.
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