Priyanka Gandhi, Venugopal review preparations for INDIA bloc’s ‘vote chori’ rally

New Delhi: The Congress has stepped up preparations for the INDIA bloc’s mega rally against alleged “vote chori” at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, with AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal and party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra holding meetings with senior leaders from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

In a statement, Venugopal said they met AICC in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam, UP Congress president Aradhana Misra-Mona and other senior leaders to discuss mobilisation efforts for the rally.

A separate meeting was held with AICC in-charge Sanjay Dutt, Haryana Congress president Rao Narender Singh and senior party leaders from the state to coordinate preparations.

Venugopal said the rally would mark the culmination of a “Delhi Chalo” march, which is scheduled to reach the national capital on November 1. The Congress expects at least one million people to participate in the march and rally, he said.

Accusing the BJP of electoral manipulation, Venugopal alleged that the campaign against “vote chori” would send a strong message about protecting democracy. He also accused the Election Commission leadership of acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The allegations are part of the Congress-led opposition’s campaign against alleged electoral irregularities. The November 1 rally is expected to bring together participants from across the country, Venugopal said.