Following a call from the Congress central leadership, party workers held protests at district headquarters across Haryana on Tuesday over the issue of alleged “vote theft” and demanding the arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
A large number of Congress workers took part in the demonstrations and raised slogans against the government.
State party in-charge Sanjay Dutt and state president Rao Narender Singh led the protests in Palwal and Gurugram, respectively. In Rohtak, the demonstration was led by Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, while AICC general secretary and MP Randeep Singh Surjewala led the protest in Kaithal.
MP and CWC permanent member Deepender Singh Hooda led the protest in Ambala. Other leaders who led demonstrations at different district headquarters included Birender Singh in Panchkula, Dharampal Malik in Panipat, Ashok Tanwar in Mahendragarh, Udai Bhan in Sonepat, MP Jai Prakash in Faridabad and MP Varun Chaudhary in Yamunanagar.
Sanjay Dutt said the participation of a large number of workers reflected what he described as the unity of the Congress and its organisational functioning.
Dutt alleged that constitutional values had been disregarded during Gyanesh Kumar’s tenure and claimed that people’s rights had been adversely affected. He also raised issues related to inflation, alleged scams, donation-related irregularities and allegations of “vote theft”.
Rao Narender Singh alleged that an atmosphere of fear was being created. He also claimed that the functioning of Gyanesh Kumar had affected the dignity of the Election Commission.
Deepender Hooda Raises Election Commission Allegations
In Ambala, Congress Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda said the Election Commission was operating as an “extension of the BJP IT cell” and claimed that the CEC had no moral right to continue in office.
Hooda was addressing a meeting of party workers at Shahzadpur on Monday. He alleged that Gyanesh Kumar was undermining democracy by acting on the directions of the BJP and called for strict legal action against him.
Hooda further alleged that a major irregularity involving the Election Commission had come to light and claimed that the available evidence was sufficient to establish his allegation regarding the poll panel’s functioning.
Ambala Lok Sabha MP Varun Chaudhary said questions concerning the election process, voter lists and other election-related matters needed to be clarified transparently.
Ambala City MLA Nirmal Singh also said concerns surrounding the poll process should be addressed.
The protests were organised across Haryana as part of the Congress’s wider campaign over its allegations concerning the electoral process and its demand for action against the Chief Election Commissioner.