Congress launches "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod" signature campaign in Himachal: Targets one lakh signatures by Oct 13

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], October 4 (ANI): The Congress party has launched its nationwide campaign "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod" in Himachal Pradesh, accusing the BJP of large-scale voter list manipulation and electoral fraud.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu formally inaugurated the state chapter of the signature drive at the Congress headquarters in Shimla on Saturday. The campaign will continue until October 13, with a target of collecting one lakh signatures from across the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri has been appointed as the state coordinator of the campaign, while former Congress president and MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore will serve as co-coordinator. The party has also assigned district in-charges for all 12 districts to ensure statewide participation.
The decision was finalised during a video conference attended by the AICC General Secretary, Himachal Pradesh Congress in-charge, and senior leaders, including Sukhu, Agnihotri, Pradesh Congress President Pratibha Singh, and Rathore.
Speaking on the occasion, Kuldeep Singh Rathore, the campaign's co-coordinator, said the drive is intended to raise public awareness about "massive irregularities" in voter lists.
"Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly raised this issue with facts and documents, showing how fake votes are being added and voter lists manipulated across the country. Through this campaign, the Congress will take this matter directly to the people," said Rathore.
Himachal Pradesh Congress President Pratibha Singh emphasised that the campaign is part of a broader effort to protect democratic integrity.
"The BJP is weakening democracy by tampering with voter lists and resorting to unfair electoral tactics. Congress will not remain silent; we will awaken the public conscience," she said.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, the campaign coordinator, elaborated on the operational plan.
"We have set a target of collecting one lakh signatures within 15 days. A control room has been established at the Pradesh Congress headquarters to monitor progress and check for duplication," said Agnihotri.
Launching the drive, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the campaign was aimed at protecting the sanctity of elections.
"Even if 50 to 100 votes are removed from a constituency, it can alter the outcome," Sukhu remarked.
"This signature campaign is an effort to prevent manipulation in voter lists and protect democratic processes. The national campaign begins in Himachal today, from Shimla," said Sukhu.
The Congress leadership plans to organise district-level signature drives, awareness events, and local outreach programs until October 13. Party workers have been directed to mobilise youth and women voters in particular to highlight the alleged electoral irregularities and reinforce the call for electoral transparency. (ANI)