Assam Congress Leaders Join ‘Vote Chori’ Protest in Delhi, Target BJP-Led Centre

Senior leaders of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Saturday participated in the Congress party’s nationwide ‘vote chori’ protest at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, accusing the BJP-led central government of undermining democratic institutions and manipulating the electoral process.

The Assam delegation was led by APCC president Gaurav Gogoi and Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia, along with several party MPs, MLAs and office-bearers. Hundreds of Congress workers from Assam also joined the protest, which was part of the party’s broader campaign against what it alleges is large-scale irregularities in electoral rolls and the misuse of constitutional bodies.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the rally, Gogoi said the Congress was fighting to protect democracy and the Constitution. He alleged that the BJP government at the Centre was weakening autonomous institutions, including the Election Commission, to secure electoral gains. “This movement is to ensure that every citizen’s vote is protected and that elections remain free and fair,” he said.

Debabrata Saikia echoed similar concerns, stating that the participation of leaders and workers from Assam reflected growing public anxiety over democratic backsliding. He said the Congress would continue to raise these issues both inside and outside Parliament.

The protest, held under the slogan “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod”, was addressed by top Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who launched sharp attacks on the BJP and accused the Centre of “institutional capture” and “vote theft”.

The BJP, however, rejected the allegations, dismissing the protest as politically motivated and accusing the Congress of misleading the public after repeated electoral defeats.

The ‘vote chori’ campaign forms part of the Congress’s nationwide mobilisation ahead of upcoming elections, with the party seeking to position electoral integrity and constitutional safeguards as key political issues.