Margao, October 2026 : Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of supporting alleged electoral malpractice, warning that they would face justice over what he termed “vote chori”.
Addressing a public meeting in Margao after participating in the Congress’s 27-day-long ‘Goy Rakhon Yatra’, Gandhi alleged that the Election Commission was being used to facilitate electoral manipulation in favour of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“The entire country knows that CEC Gyanesh Kumar implements ‘vote chori’ and Amit Shah and PM Modi back him,” Gandhi said. He asserted that the Congress would continue its fight to protect the Constitution and hold those responsible for alleged electoral irregularities accountable.
“PM Modi, Amit Shah and CEC Gyanesh Kumar will face justice and pay the price for what they have done,” he said, adding that the three could not escape accountability.
Gandhi claimed that more than 45 defamation cases had been filed against him, including by people associated with Modi and Shah, but no case had been registered against him for alleging that the Prime Minister was involved in vote theft.
He argued that those in power were reluctant to initiate legal proceedings over his allegations because the matter could become a full-fledged legal dispute. Gandhi claimed that the Congress had presented evidence of electoral manipulation in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Assam.
He alleged that Opposition votes had been deleted, votes added in favour of the ruling party, and voters shifted between districts or brought in from other states.
Urging Congress workers to remain vigilant during elections, Gandhi described them as guardians of the Constitution and said they had a responsibility to expose alleged electoral malpractice.
“In Delhi, we have put them under pressure. Gyanesh Kumar cannot sleep at night; Narendra Modi cannot sleep, Amit Shah cannot sleep, because they know that sooner or later, the Congress party will ensure that justice is done,” he said.
Congress Targets BJP Over Goa’s Land and Employment
Turning his attention to Goa, Gandhi accused the BJP-led state government of allowing the exploitation of the coastal state's land, natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit of wealthy industrialists and politically connected individuals.
He alleged that infrastructure projects, land and economic opportunities were being handed over to billionaires such as Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani in exchange for publicity and political support.
“This is their system. This is how their system works: give billionaires money, give them contracts, give them land. In return, the billionaires do their marketing,” he alleged.
Gandhi claimed that farmers and economically weaker sections in Goa were losing their land, which was allegedly being transferred to outsiders and the ruling establishment’s associates. He also criticised the cancellation of the regional master plan, alleging that it had enabled the government to facilitate such transfers.
Describing Goa as one of India's most beautiful places, with a distinctive cultural identity, Gandhi said its natural wealth and heritage needed protection.
“Goa is a paradise, one of the most beautiful places in the country, with a great culture,” he said, alleging that the state's resources were being appropriated for the benefit of billionaires.
The Congress leader also accused the state government of failing to generate employment opportunities, claiming that Goa faced exceptionally high unemployment and that young people were leaving the state to seek jobs abroad.
“They have destroyed the entire system and dismantled the employment structure,” he said.
Attacking the government over alleged corruption, Gandhi contrasted the BJP's earlier emphasis on the Gujarat model with what he described as Goa's model of corruption.
“Earlier, there was the Gujarat model of Narendra Modi. Here, there is a special Goa model of corruption,” he said, calling for the system to be dismantled.
Education, Student Protests and Constitutional Values
Gandhi also criticised the alleged use of force against student protesters and accused the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of influencing appointments in universities.
“India used to have a world-class education system earlier, but now pellet guns are being used against student protesters,” he alleged.
He said students were raising concerns about alleged electoral fraud, unemployment, rising education costs and inflation. Gandhi argued that educational institutions should remain independent and accessible rather than being influenced by political organisations.
“This country does not belong to any one organisation. This country does not belong to the RSS. This country does not belong to the BJP. This country belongs to the people of India,” he said.
He added that Goa belonged to its people, not merely to the Chief Minister or ministers, and that residents deserved access to quality education, healthcare, employment and a protected environment.
Taking a swipe at Modi, Gandhi questioned the Prime Minister's political image, asking, “Have you observed? Have you noticed? Where is the 56-inch chest of Modiji these days? He cannot stand in front…”
He urged Congress workers to continue their political mobilisation beyond the conclusion of the yatra, reiterating that the party would fight the BJP's ideology and defend democratic institutions.
‘Goy Rakhon Yatra’ Concludes After 27 Days
Gandhi arrived at Dabolim airport on Sunday afternoon and joined Congress leaders and workers for a two-kilometre march in Margao. Among those accompanying him were AICC Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare, co-in-charge Dr Anjali Nimbalkar, Goa Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar.
Led by Alemao and Chodankar, the ‘Goy Rakhon Yatra’, meaning a campaign to protect Goa, began on September 22 and concluded on Sunday. The campaign covered all 40 Assembly constituencies in the state.
According to the Congress, the initiative sought to protect Goa's land, environment, cultural heritage and identity while strengthening the party's grassroots organisation ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
During the campaign, the party raised issues including alleged land grabbing, land conversion, unemployment, corruption, public safety and the preservation of Goa's distinctive social and cultural character. It also sought to engage local communities and bring their development-related concerns into the political debate.
With the Assembly elections approaching, the Congress hopes the campaign will help mobilise support across constituencies, including those currently represented by the ruling BJP.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
