‘Margao (Goa): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing them of orchestrating “vote theft” and asserting that they would eventually be held accountable, PTI reported.
Speaking at a public meeting in Margao in south Goa, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha alleged that the Prime Minister was directing the alleged electoral manipulation from behind the scenes, while the Home Minister was running it on the ground and the Chief Election Commissioner was executing it.
“Gyanesh Kumar implements the vote theft, Amit Shah operationalises it, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi does the entire planning from behind the scenes,” Gandhi told the gathering.
He claimed the three leaders were under pressure and unable to rest because the Congress would ensure consequences for their actions.
“PM Modi, Amit Shah and CEC Gyanesh Kumar will face justice and pay the price for what they have done,” he said.
‘Expiry Date Is Approaching’
Gandhi urged Goa’s voters to back the Congress with a complete majority in the 2027 assembly elections, while assuring party workers that the battle against the BJP leadership would continue in Delhi.
“You think about Goa. In Delhi, in a short while, we will deal with Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. You don’t need to worry about that. The work is underway; their expiry date is approaching.
“I guarantee you that we are going to deal with Modi, Amit Shah and Gyanesh- all of them. They cannot escape,” he added.
The Congress leader said he faced over 45 defamation cases, many of which he alleged had been initiated by people linked to Modi and Shah. However, he pointed out that no legal action had been taken against him for accusing the Prime Minister of involvement in vote theft.
“They are afraid that if a case is filed over the allegation of vote theft, then it will become a full-fledged legal matter and they will get entangled in it,” he said.
‘Evidence In Seven States’
Gandhi claimed the Congress had documented instances of electoral irregularities across Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Assam.
“Votes of opposition were removed, votes were added in favour of the ruling party, and voters were shifted between districts and brought in from other states,” he alleged.
He asked Congress cadres to stay alert during elections, describing them as protectors of the Constitution who must bring alleged wrongdoing to light.
“In Delhi, we have put them under pressure. Gyanesh Kumar cannot sleep at night, Narendra Modi cannot sleep, Amit Shah cannot sleep, because they know that sooner or later, the Congress party will ensure that justice is done,” he said.
The Congress leader also targeted the BJP-led Union government over its alleged closeness to big business, claiming that infrastructure works and economic opportunities were being channelled towards wealthy industrialists in return for political backing and publicity.
“This is their system. This is how their system works: give billionaires money, give them contracts, give them land. In return, the billionaires do their marketing,” he alleged.
‘Special Goa Model Of Corruption’
Turning to Goa, Gandhi accused the BJP-ruled state government of acquiring land from farmers and economically weaker sections and transferring it to ‘outsiders’.
He alleged that the withdrawal of the regional master plan had opened the way for land to be handed to the government’s associates, while Goa’s natural resources and cultural identity were being exploited for commercial gain.
“Goa is a paradise, one of the most beautiful places in the country, with a great culture,” he said, alleging that the state’s land was being taken away and handed over to billionaires.
He further claimed that Goa recorded the highest unemployment in the country, forcing young residents to move abroad in search of work.
“They have destroyed the entire system and dismantled the employment structure,” the Congress MP said.
“Earlier, there was the Gujarat model of Narendra Modi. Here, there is a special Goa model of corruption,” he said, adding that the model had to be dismantled.
On education, Gandhi alleged that students protesting in Delhi had faced force and accused the BJP and the RSS of shaping appointments in universities.
“India used to have a world-class education system earlier, but now pellet guns are being used against student protesters,” he alleged.
According to him, students were voicing concerns over alleged vote theft, joblessness, rising education costs and inflation.
“This country does not belong to any one organisation. This country does not belong to the RSS. This country does not belong to the BJP. This country belongs to the people of India,” the Opposition leader added.
Gandhi said Goa belonged to its residents rather than the chief minister or ministers, and stressed that people deserved education, healthcare, jobs and a protected environment.
During his address, he also took a personal swipe at the Prime Minister.
“Have you observed? Have you noticed? Where is the 56-inch chest of Modiji these days? He cannot stand in front…” Gandhi said.
He asked Congress workers to sustain their campaign even after the conclusion of the yatra, saying the party would continue opposing the BJP’s ideology.
Gandhi had earlier joined the final day of the Congress’s ‘Goy Rakhon Yatra’, walking two kilometres alongside leaders and workers before addressing the rally.
The 27-day-long yatra, aimed at protecting Goa, traversed all 40 assembly constituencies in the state as the Congress sought to expand its organisational base ahead of the assembly polls.
The party said the march was intended to defend Goa’s land, environment, cultural heritage and identity.
