On December 14, 2025, Delhi's historic Ramlila Maidan transformed into a sea of Congress flags and banners as the Indian National Congress organized a massive rally dubbed 'Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod' (Vote Thief, Vacate the Throne). This event marked a significant escalation in the party's nationwide campaign against what it alleges are systematic attempts by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) to manipulate electoral rolls through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
The rally drew thousands of party workers, leaders from across states, and supporters, turning the iconic ground—traditionally known for cultural Ramlila performances and major political gatherings—into a platform for vocal opposition. Chants of "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod" echoed throughout, symbolizing the Congress's demand for accountability and fair elections.
### Background and Allegations
The Congress has been vocal about irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls, launched in several states and union territories. The party claims this process disproportionately deletes names of voters from marginalized communities while adding others, potentially favoring the BJP. Rahul Gandhi and other leaders have repeatedly accused the government and ECI of "collusion" to enable "vote chori" (vote theft).
Prior to the rally, the Congress conducted a nationwide signature drive, collecting over 5.5 crore signatures opposing these alleged malpractices. The party planned to submit a memorandum with these signatures to the President of India.
The event was positioned as a continuation of parliamentary debates where the opposition highlighted these issues, now taken directly to the public.
Key Participants and Speeches
The rally featured fiery addresses from the Congress's top leadership, showcasing unity and directly targeting the BJP, RSS, and the Election Commission. The speeches emphasized themes of truth versus power, protection of the Constitution, and vows to restore electoral integrity.
Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress President):
In an emotional and hard-hitting speech, Kharge called those indulging in "vote chori" "gaddars" (traitors) who must be removed from power to safeguard the Constitution and citizens' voting rights. He asserted that only the Congress ideology could save the country from the divisive seeds sown by the RSS-BJP. Kharge urged the public to unite behind Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to protect voters' rights.
Striking a personal note, he revealed skipping his son's surgery in Bengaluru to attend the rally, saying it was more important "to save 140 crore people." He contrasted Congress's resilience with the BJP's, stating, "We lost at many places, but our party and ideology are alive. If Modi loses once, there will be no trace of him." Kharge also criticized PM Modi's foreign trips during Parliament sessions and led chants of "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod" and "Vande Mataram."
Rahul Gandhi (Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha):
Rahul Gandhi delivered a sharp attack, declaring that "vote chori is in the BJP's DNA" and vowing to stand with "satya" (truth) and non-violence to remove the "Modi-Shah-RSS government." He accused the Election Commission of siding with "lies" over truth, directly naming Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, alleging they worked for the BJP rather than India.
Gandhi promised to retroactively amend laws granting immunity to election commissioners and take action against them. He asserted that while the BJP has "satta" (power), the Congress has truth, and it may take time but truth will prevail. "We'll defeat Modi and Shah with truth and ahimsa," he said, boosting the crowd's morale.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra:
Priyanka Gandhi accused the BJP of weakening democratic institutions and raised suspicions over every step of the electoral process. She challenged the BJP to contest a fair election using ballot papers, stating, "They know they'll never win without EVMs and EC support." She demanded answers from the three election commissioners on how they "conspired" to undermine voting rights.
Highlighting past tactics, she mentioned opposition leaders being jailed, Congress accounts frozen, and bogus allegations to force defections. Priyanka criticized the lack of parliamentary debates on issues like unemployment and inflation, saying the government fears exposure of "vote chori."
Other leaders like Sachin Pilot questioned the EC's neutrality and accused the government of hollowing out institutions over 11 years.
Leaders assembled at the Congress headquarters before proceeding to the venue in a symbolic bus journey.
Atmosphere and Impact
The ground was packed with enthusiastic supporters from states like Karnataka, Telangana, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. Banners, posters, and live streams amplified the message, with the rally described as "historic" by several state units.
While the Congress framed it as a defense of democracy, critics from the BJP dismissed it as political theatrics and an attempt to shield "infiltrators." Nonetheless, the event underscored the deepening polarization over electoral integrity ahead of future polls.
Ramlila Maidan, with its rich history of hosting landmark political events—from anti-Emergency rallies in the 1970s to Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement—once again proved its significance as a venue for mass mobilization.
This rally not only boosted Congress morale but also intensified public discourse on electoral reforms, setting the stage for further opposition campaigns.
