The Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders held a ‘Loktantra Bachao’ rally which saw a massive public turnout on Sunday at Delhi’s Ramlila Ground, as mark of protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
In a scathing attack on the BJP, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi accused the ruling party of engaging in “match-fixing.” Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appointed ‘umpires’ to ensure the BJP’s victory by surpassing the 400-seat mark in the upcoming elections. He said, “Without EVMs, match-fixing, social media, and pressurising the press, they cannot win more than 180 seats.”
NCP chief Sharad Pawar condemened the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren at the rally. He said, “The action against two prominent leaders of the country is an attack on our democracy and Constitution. Today it is our responsibility to save the Constitution and democracy given by Baba Saheb ji. All of you use your vote properly and defeat them.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the voters have to decide whether they want dictatorship or democracy. He said, “Those who support dictatorship need to be kicked out of the country… BJP and RSS are like poison. You will die even if you taste poison.”
Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pardesh and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav said, “400 will not be crossed, 400 will be defeated. My appeal is – defeat BJP in this election, send them back. Save democracy by voting, save the constitution by voting.”
Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav attacked the ruling party on their arrogant behaviour and said, “You are a cheater, you make promises and then forget them. Modi ji, you will do this every day. If the public gets upset, you will wring your hands.” He further said, “Just as Modi ji had come like a storm, now he will go like a storm. The people in power have become dictators and arrogant. The public will answer them.”
Jharkhand CM Champai Soren attacked the Centre on the arrest of former Chief Minister Hemant Soren. “We are continuously fighting with ED, CBI, IT. Our leader Hemant Soren has never bowed down, nor will he ever bow down. In Jharkhand, when we worked for the upliftment of Dalits, backward classes and tribals, BJP felt pain in its stomach. We are the product of struggle, we are all one and will save democracy by ending a dictatorial government like BJP,” he said.
JMM leader and Hemant Soren’s wife Kalpana Soren said, “Two months ago Hemant Soren ji was put in jail. The people are the people, the people are powerful. The people of India are the largest. Now it is the people who have to overthrow the dictator. Jharkhand will not bow down I.N.D.I.A. will not bow down.”
