Gehlot accuses BJP of securing victory in West Bengal through might of state power, says battle to save democracy will continue

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has accused the BJP of securing electoral victory in West Bengal solely through the might of state power, reiterating that the Congress’s battle to save democracy in the country would continue unabated.

In a post X, Gehlot accused the BJP of manipulating the election process in West Bengal, saying, “Armoured vehicles of Central Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) were deployed on streets, voters were intimidated, money was distributed openly, and the names of lakhs of valid voters were deleted from the voter list through the SIR exercise.

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“What could be a bigger democratic crime than the fact that lakhs of residents of West Bengal could not cast their votes in their own birthplace? This victory has been achieved solely through the might of state power. It is a victory for the BJP and its ally, the Election Commission”, the senior Congress leader asserted.

“We, as Congress workers, are fighting a battle to save democracy. This country needs Congress, and only Congress can save democracy. The results in three states, including Bengal, are disappointing. However, we can not be discouraged.”

Exhorting party rank and file, Gehlot said, “Today, all Congress workers across the country, including Rajasthan, should take a pledge, immerse themselves in hard work, and move forward with resolve to continue the party’s ideology-driven battle to save democracy.”

He expressed gratitude to voters in Kerala for the victory of the United Democratic Front (UDF), and extended greetings and best wishes to all leaders and workers of the alliance.

“This victory is a triumph of Kerala’s secular ideology and the welfare policies of the UDF. Under the leadership of Congress President Malikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, the Congress-led UDF government will provide good governance in Kerala,” he said.