BJP is undermining democracy through chori vote, claims Kamaleshwar Patel

Congress Working Committee member Kamaleshwar Patel addressing a press conference in Hubballi on Monday. | Photo credit: KIRAN BAKALE

Former Madhya Pradesh minister and Congress working committee member Kamaleshwar Patel accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of undermining democracy and the constitution through chori voting (vote theft).

Addressing a press conference along with Congress leaders in Hubballi on Monday, Mr Patel said the BJP had formed governments in several states through rigged elections and accused Mr Kumar of acting as an agent of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Citing the deletion of 68,000 names from electoral rolls in Bihar, he expressed concern over large-scale deletion of voters in West Bengal and irregularities in Maharashtra, including multiple voters registered under the same address.

Referring to a report in The Hindu about more than 60,000 Form 7 applications seeking deletion of names from electoral rolls of Karnataka filed by election officials themselves, Mr. Patel said that under the Voter Registration Rules, 1960, it is mandatory to state the reason for deletion.

However, no specific reason was given in the forms submitted by the election officials to indicate what kind of malpractice is involved under the guise of SIR.

Mr Patel also questioned the amendment to Form 6, saying it was made without Parliament’s approval.

He said Congress and INDI alliance partners have launched the Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao campaign to protect democracy and the constitution and against electoral irregularities. The campaign will continue until Mr. Kumar, Mr. Modi and Mr. Shah step down, he said.

As part of the month-long campaign, a rally will be held in Delhi on November 1. The campaign will be conducted at various levels, with the first phase focusing on creating awareness and the second on Democracy Day, he said.

Mr Patel also said that people are being divided in the name of religion and nationalism while corporate interests are favoured.

He called for ensuring the protection of voting rights, raised concerns about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and demanded that elections be held using ballot papers.

KPCC district unit presidents Sadanand Danganavar and Chandrashekhar Juttal, MLC FH Jakkappanavar, former MLC Mohan Limbikai, former MLA MS Akki and others were present.

Published – 26 Oct 2026 22:01 IST