Imphal, August 28: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Thursday launched the ‘Vote chor, gaddi chod’ campaign in Imphal, accusing the BJP of electoral fraud and demanding fresh elections in the state.
Addressing the gathering at the City Convention Centre, AICC Manipur in-charge and Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka alleged that the Election Commission had failed in its constitutional duty, depriving voters of their rights to help the ruling BJP retain power. “Our demand is simple. We want fresh elections in Manipur where people will elect their government and solve the issues. There is no solution, no peace now. We will stand with Manipur and ensure peace and brotherhood return,” Ulaka said.
He criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the ongoing crisis and sought a clear statement on when he would visit the state. Ulaka reminded that senior Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had visited Manipur multiple times, while the Centre remained unresponsive.
Highlighting that President’s Rule has been in force in Manipur since February 2025 despite the BJP and its allies holding 55 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly, Ulaka questioned the constitutional legitimacy of the government’s actions.
The Congress announced a signature campaign from September 15 to October 15, aiming to collect 10 crore signatures demanding free and fair polls. The signatures will be submitted to the President of India or the Election Commission of India.
AICC secretary Christopher Tilak also addressed the meeting, alleging that the BJP was “diluting the Constitution” and that Manipur had witnessed the “maximum constitutional violations” in the country.
The campaign, Congress leaders said, was not just about Manipur but about protecting democracy and ensuring that every voter can exercise their constitutional right.
