New Delhi, December 14, 2025 – Thousands of Congress workers and supporters gathered at Delhi’s historic Ramlila Maidan today for a big protest rally called ‘Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod’. The rally was organised to speak out against what the party calls large-scale vote theft and unfair changes in voter lists. Top leaders like Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi addressed the crowd, calling it a fight to save democracy and the Constitution.
The ground was full of blue Congress flags and posters. People came from many states like Jharkhand, Haryana, Karnataka and others. Police made tight security arrangements, but the event passed peacefully.
Why Congress Called This Rally
The Congress party has been saying for months that the ruling BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) are working together to change voter lists unfairly. They call it “vote chori” – stealing votes by removing names of people who might vote against BJP, especially from poor families, Dalits, tribals and minorities.
This issue came up big during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in many states. Congress leaders say fake voters are added and real ones deleted on purpose.
Rahul Gandhi has spoken about this many times in Parliament and outside. He says it is the biggest danger to India’s democracy. The party collected over five crore signatures from people across the country against this.
KC Venugopal, a senior leader, said before the rally, “We have proof how vote chori is happening. This rally is to show the government that people want fair elections.”
Background of the Allegations
The Congress has been raising this issue for months now. It started after some state elections where the party felt something was wrong with voter lists. Rahul Gandhi has spoken many times about how names of poor people, Dalits, tribals and minorities are being removed on purpose. He says this helps the BJP win seats unfairly.
In Parliament too, Congress leaders brought up examples like duplicate voter names or people registered at wrong addresses. KC Venugopal, a senior Congress leader, said before the rally, “We are lacking a neutral umpire for conducting elections.” He meant that the ECI is not acting fairly anymore.
The party claims to have collected over five crore signatures from people across the country against this alleged vote theft. They plan to show these signatures as proof of public anger.
What Happened at the Rally
Leaders first met at the Congress office in Indira Bhawan. Then they all went in a bus to Ramlila Maidan to show they are united. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sachin Pilot, Jairam Ramesh and many state leaders were there. Sonia Gandhi was also expected to join.
Mallikarjun Kharge spoke first. He said, “This is not just a rally. It is to protect every Indian’s vote and our Constitution. We will not let anyone steal democracy.”
Rahul Gandhi told the crowd, “Vote chori is against the idea of India. We fight for the poor and weak whose names are removed. This movement will grow bigger.”
Workers shouted slogans like “Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod” and “Save Democracy”. Many held papers with the signatures they collected.
Leaders from states shared stories of voter deletions in their areas. DK Shivakumar from Karnataka said, “We must all join to save the Constitution and democracy.”
Reactions from Other Sides
The BJP has called these claims baseless. A BJP MP said Congress is a failed party and this rally is just drama because they keep losing elections. He said Home Minister Amit Shah already explained in Parliament that there is no vote theft.
The Election Commission has also rejected the allegations in the past. They say all changes to voter lists follow rules and parties can check them.
Why This Matters for Indian Democracy
Many people worry about trust in elections. Free and fair voting is the base of our democracy. If one side feels the system is biased, it can lead to more fights in politics. Congress says this rally is the start of a bigger movement to make elections transparent again.
The party wants the ECI to share more data and stop what they call targeted deletions. On the other side, BJP says Congress is only crying because they lose votes due to bad leadership.
Looking Ahead
This rally could heat up politics more as new elections come in some states next year. Congress hopes to build pressure on the government. Workers left the ground saying they will keep fighting for every vote.
The day passed peacefully with heavy police arrangements to manage the crowd.
Detailed Claims by Congress Leaders
Rahul Gandhi has given examples in press meetings. He talked about one area in Karnataka where many fake voters were added. He also said in Haryana elections, battery levels of EVMs showed differences that looked suspicious, though ECI explained it.
KC Venugopal said, “Rahul ji showed proof how vote chori is happening. He even challenged the Home Minister for a debate, but no reply came.”
All India Mahila Congress chief Alka Lamba said women voters from certain groups are being targeted.
Preparations and Mobilisation
Party units from many states worked hard. In Haryana, Bhupinder Hooda held meetings to send workers. In Jharkhand, over 5,000 people were planned to go. Leaders checked arrangements at the ground a day before.
Quotes from Leaders
Mallikarjun Kharge: “This is not just a rally, it is to save our democracy from those who want to steal votes.”
Rahul Gandhi (from earlier statements): “Vote chori is the biggest anti-national act because it destroys the idea of India.”
KC Venugopal: “We have crores of signatures. People are angry and want fair play in elections.”
From BJP side, Praveen Khandelwal: “Congress leaders are unsuccessful and this is just theatrics.”
Impact on Public Opinion
Many common people feel elections should be clean. Some support Congress claims, others say it’s sour grapes after losses. But everyone agrees trust in ECI is important.
FAQs About the Congress Rally and Vote Theft Allegations
What is the Congress rally about?
The rally at Ramlila Maidan on December 14, 2025, is to protest against alleged vote theft. Congress says the BJP and ECI are together deleting voter names unfairly to help one side win.
Why does Congress call it ‘vote chori’?
They say during voter list revisions, names of opposition supporters, especially from poor and minority groups, are removed on purpose. This steals their right to vote.
Who spoke at the rally?
Main speakers were Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Other leaders like Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal also joined.
What does BJP say?
BJP calls it false drama. They say Congress loses because of weak leadership, not any theft. Home Minister explained in Parliament there is no proof.
Has ECI replied?
Yes, ECI says all changes follow law and allegations are baseless. They ask for proof under oath if anyone claims fraud.
Will this change anything?
It may bring more debate on election reforms. Congress wants more transparency like sharing full voter data for checks.
Is this rally linked to any court case?
Some cases are in courts about voter deletions, but the rally is a public protest to build awareness.
More on the Issue
The problem started getting big after 2024 Lok Sabha and some state polls. Congress says they found proof in places like Maharashtra, Haryana and Bihar. They want independent checks on voter lists.
Experts say India needs strong rules to keep elections fair. Past ECI was seen as very neutral, but now some question it because of how commissioners are chosen.
Today’s rally showed Congress is serious about this fight. Lakhs of people came, proving the issue touches many. As India heads to more elections, keeping trust in voting system is key for peace and progress.