New Delhi: The INDIA alliance will hold a rally on November 1 to protest against alleged electoral manipulation, Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda said, expressing confidence that the event would draw a large turnout.
Hooda said a meeting of Haryana Congress leaders was held at Indira Bhawan in Delhi to review preparations for the rally. He alleged that the BJP had formed the government in Haryana by a narrow margin of around 0.5% of the votes and claimed that the entire government, rather than just one constituency, had been “stolen”.
Accusing the BJP of using various tactics, including the alleged misuse of the Election Commission, Hooda said the rally would raise the issue of “vote theft”. These allegations were made by the Congress leader.
Hooda also criticised the BJP government over the power situation in Haryana, taking a swipe at Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini with the remark, “The Chief Minister is Nayab (new), but electricity in Haryana is ‘gayab’ (missing).”
He opposed the proposed privatisation of power distribution in Gurugram and Nuh, alleging that handing over distribution in the two districts to private entities would be unfair. He also warned that the move could weaken the cross-subsidy system.
Hooda said electricity must remain affordable for the middle class, farmers, poorer sections and rural households, and urged the government to prioritise public interests while taking decisions on power distribution.