Srinagar, Dec 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday distanced himself from the “vote chori” issue raised by the Congress, asserting that the matter has no connection with the opposition INDIA bloc.
His remarks came a day after senior Congress leaders launched a scathing attack on the BJP and the Election Commission at a “Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod” rally in New Delhi. At the rally, the Congress alleged that “vote chori” was ingrained in the ruling party’s DNA and accused its leaders of conspiring to deprive people of their voting rights.
The National Conference, led by Abdullah, is a constituent of the INDIA bloc, while the Congress is the largest party in the alliance in terms of opposition representation in the Lok Sabha.
Responding to queries on the allegations of electoral irregularities being raised by the Congress, Abdullah said the issue was being taken up independently by the party.
“The INDIA bloc has got nothing to do with it. Every political party is free to set its own agenda. The Congress has made ‘vote chori’ and SIR its main issues. Who are we to question that?” he said.
The Congress has claimed that it has gathered around six crore signatures against alleged “vote theft” and plans to submit them to the President of India.
