Bhopal, Nov 4 — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will take its campaign against the Congress' 'Vote Chori' allegations to district headquarters across Madhya Pradesh after holding marches in major cities, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Wednesday, accusing the Opposition of questioning constitutional institutions for political gains.
The Chief Minister made the announcement while addressing a public meeting at Atal Path near Platinum Plaza in Bhopal, before leading the party's 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' (Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy) foot march with Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and State BJP President Hemant Khandelwal.
The Chief Minister said the campaign was aimed at exposing the Congress' record on democracy and countering its allegations against the Election Commission and other constitutional institutions.
Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Yadav accused him of using questions over the functioning of constitutional bodies to pursue his political agenda.
"Those who repeatedly make a mockery of democracy and constitutional institutions are now questioning the Supreme Court and the Election Commission. Rahul Gandhi is trying to advance his politics by taking shelter behind these institutions, but the people will not forgive him," the Chief Minister said.
Invoking the Emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, CM Yadav accused the Congress of questioning the Judiciary whenever court judgments went against the party.
He also alleged that attempts were made to interfere with the Election Commission's functioning during former Chief Election Commissioner T.N. Seshan's tenure.
Chief Minister Yadav also referred to former Congress Rajya Sabha member Badrul Islam's appointment as a Supreme Court judge and his judgment in a case involving former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra.
He said the Congress had governed the country under successive leaders of the Nehru-Gandhi family but was now targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi after failing to return to power.
"After completing the foot marches in all major cities of the state, similar programmes will be organised at the district level," CM Yadav added.
The Bhopal programme was the third such event in Madhya Pradesh after marches in Indore on October 30 and Jabalpur on November 3.
Former BJP Chief Nadda, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and State BJP President Hemant Khandelwal led the procession from Atal Path through New Market to Roshanpura.
State Ministers, party office-bearers, elected representatives and thousands of BJP workers joined the march, along with traders and representatives of social organisations.
The BJP has launched the campaign as a counter to the Congress' 'Vote Chori' allegations, its protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and its objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.