"It has become robbery": Congress' Pramod Tiwari on claims of "vote theft"

New Delhi [India], August 28 (ANI): Congress leader Pramod Tiwari has accused the BJP of carrying out large-scale "vote theft" in Bihar by deleting 65 lakh names from the electoral rolls while simultaneously adding fake voters, alleging that the manipulation amounts to "robbery" of democracy.
The Congress leader warned that the public will not tolerate such practices and said the Congress has taken to the streets in protest.
Speaking to ANI, on the issue of vote theft, Tiwari said, "BJP people need to open their eyes. The public uprising in Bihar is turning into revolution. There has been a two-way theft. On one hand 65 lakh electors have been deleted and on another side around 1000 people are found in one house, it means, you are adding also. They are deleting lakhs of votes and adding lakhs of fake votes. This is no longer theft, it has become robbery, and now the people of the country will not tolerate this robbery. We have taken to the streets to save democracy."
Earlier today, over his claims of "vote chori" and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi "cautioned" the BJP and Election Commission of India, saying that the people of Bihar are smart and cautious and "will not let them steal even a single vote in the state."
Addressing a gathering in Sithamarhi during his Voter Adhikar Yatra, the Congress MP accused the BJP of "stealing votes" from the poor to "suppress" their voice. Extending his support, Gandhi exhorted that the INDIA bloc will "never" let them suppress the voices of the poor and underprivileged.
Rahul Gandhi said, "We know that they are trying to steal the elections in Bihar. That is why we have started the Voter Adhikar Yatra here so that these people and the Election Commissioner can know that the people of Bihar are smart, cautious and will not let the BJP and the Election Commission steal even a single vote in Bihar. Ambedkar ji gave this Constitution to the country; this is not just an ordinary book, it's a book of ideology and reflection."
"I want to remind my Dalit brothers that, before independence, they were considered untouchables, but this Constitution gave them rights. The Constitution gave you all the rights. BJP people want to snatch your rights... They are stealing votes from the poor because they want to suppress your voice, and I want to tell you from this stage, they will never be able to suppress your voice. We stand with you..." he added.
During this rally, Rahul Gandhi also raised the slogan of "Vote Chor Gaddi Chor."
The 16-day 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar, involving Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, aims to raise awareness about alleged irregularities in the voter list, which opposition leaders have termed a case of 'vote chori' (vote theft).
Covering over 1,300 km across 20 districts, the yatra is scheduled to conclude in Patna on September 1.
Bihar Assembly elections are expected later this year, although the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced an official date.
While the NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, aims to continue its tenure in Bihar, the INDIA bloc, comprising the RJD, Congress, and left parties, seeks to oust Nitish Kumar. (ANI)