New Delhi [India], August 19 : Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday firmly challenged the Election Commission to come clean on the controversial issue of 'vote chori' (vote theft), criticising the poll panel for evading accountability.
She also praised Rahul Gandhi's bravery, saying he is unfazed by any attacks and will not back down despite distractions.
The Congress MP, while speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, said, "On this 'vote chori' issue, they (Election Commission) should tell the truth to the public. Rahul ji kisi hamle se nahi darte, seh lenge sab kuch aur peeche nahi hatenge. Because they are not able to answer the questions raised by Rahul ji, they start talking about the affidavit, Nehru ji, and Indira ji."
With the INDIA bloc ramping up protests against the Election Commission, Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday reiterated that the alleged "vote theft" in assembly and Lok Sabha elections is a "murder of the Constitution".
He said that democracy will be harmed if the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) "sit on the throne" through such electoral malpractice.
Stating that the party is looking to create an atmosphere to warn the people of manipulation, theft and tampering of votes, Kharge told reporters outside Parliament, "This is our party's stand that we want to create an atmosphere across the country against the theft of votes, manipulation of votes, and tampering with votes, that injustice is being done to the people."
"If they sit on the throne by such theft, it is not beneficial for democracy. This is murder of the Constitution," he added.
Earlier today, the INDIA bloc intensified its protest outside the parliament building against "vote theft" allegations against Election Commision of India and Special Intensive Revision in Bihar.
The protests saw the presence of prominent leaders including Congress chief Kharge, MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others.
The protests have continued after ECI addressed a press conference giving clarification over the "vote theft" allegations and SIR in Bihar. It also asked Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to submit a signed affidavit with proof of his claims of election rigging.