Jammu, 25 October (H.S.): Around 5,000 Congress leaders and workers from Jammu and Kashmir are set to participate in a mega national rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on November 1, party leaders said on Sunday.

Organised by the Congress as part of its Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao campaign, the rally will raise concerns over alleged vote chori and is expected to bring together party leaders and workers from across the country, including members of the INDIA bloc, the party leaders led by PCC working president Raman Bhalla said at a press conference here.

Congress workers from each district of Jammu and Kashmir will participate in the scheduled mega rally against 'Vote Chori'. The people of this country will not tolerate hijacking of the electoral system by BJP through the Chief Election Commissioner, Bhalla said.

The chief spokesperson said there is a massive response from people regarding the campaign by the Congress led by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi against various modes of 'Vote Chori', and now every citizen in this country is convinced that the Modi-led government are behind this through CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

The frustration of the BJP government is evident from the fact that it has directed its party cadres to launch a counter-offensive against the Congress. In furtherance of this, the local BJP unit has allegedly attempted to attack the Congress headquarters in Jammu on more than two occasions over the past couple of weeks. The ruling BJP's frustration is likely to grow with each passing day in view of the massive support the opposition's 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' campaign is receiving, he said.

Jammu rural party president Neeraj Kundan alleged that the Modi government and the BJP had pre-planned electoral manipulation by amending the law to exclude the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the selection panel for the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs), contrary to the directions of the Supreme Court.

He alleged that various methods were being used to manipulate votes and delete crores of genuine voters' names through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and other means.

He said the alleged irregularities had been brought to light by Gandhi following extensive investigations over the past year.

Kundan alleged that the BJP government had granted special immunity to Gyanesh Kumar after his retirement to facilitate electoral manipulation.

Jammu urban party president Yogesh Sawehney said the Chief Election Commissioner would have to step down to safeguard democracy.

He also raised concerns over the alleged failure of BJP MLAs in Jammu to adequately utilise their Constituency Development Funds to address the developmental needs of the general public.

Former minister Mula Ram also hit out at the Modi government for allegedly indulging in an attack on the basic right to vote in the democracy and carrying out 'vote chori' in the country.

He also referred to the damage caused to the paddy crop of farmers by recent rains in Jammu and demanded adequate compensation to the affected farmers.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar