Cong launches ‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod’ stir from Kamptee, Sapkal predicts early polls

Nagpur: The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Wednesday launched its state-wide ‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod' agitation from Kamptee. State president Harshwardhan Sapkal claimed that the Narendra Modi government had been rattled after Rahul Gandhi exposed the BJP's alleged vote theft. He asserted that the PM would be forced to step down and that early elections could take place any time, urging party workers to start preparations.Addressing a rally at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) premises in Kamptee, Sapkal also warned the government against "tampering with democracy." He alleged that the BJP came to power through vote theft and that the malpractice began in Kamptee constituency, represented by former state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule."Since Rahul Gandhi exposed the irregularities here, we launched our state-wide agitation from Kamptee. We will not remain silent until these ‘vote thieves' are pulled down from power," he said.In an apparent reference to the RSS chief's remarks, Sapkal claimed that Nagpur had ordered leaders above 75 years of age to retire. "The ground is slipping from under PM Modi's feet, and he will be forced to step down. A new dispensation inspired by Shiv, Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar will replace the BJP," he added.Congress legislature party leader in the Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, alleged massive irregularities in the voter lists, claiming that one house in Chandrapur showed 56 children while a 10×10 room had 109 registered voters. "The BJP won 132 seats through vote theft. The Kamptee strongman was at the forefront of this. Voters will eventually punish these thieves," he claimed.Legislative Council group leader Satej Patil said Rahul Gandhi's August 7 press conference on vote theft had drawn global attention and raised doubts about whether citizens' votes were being counted correctly. "We must now take this fight to the people and strengthen Rahul Gandhi's hands," he added.Senior leaders Balasaheb Thorat, Sunil Kedar, Yashomati Thakur, Naseem Khan, Rajendra Mulak, Congress MPs Pratibha Dhanorkar, Shyamkumar Barve, Balwant Wankhede, Prashant Padole, as well as AICC secretaries Kunal Chaudhary and Praful Gudhde, also targeted the BJP and the Election Commission. A large number of workers and citizens attended the rally.