Mumbai, Oct 12: The Maharashtra BJP on Monday accused the Congress leadership of threatening youth Congress workers to ensure their participation in the demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi, a charge the Opposition party dismissed as a sign of the ruling fold’s insecurity over losing power.
Releasing a purported audio clip of Maharashtra Youth Congress in-charge Ajay Chikara, state BJP’s chief spokesperson Navnath Ban alleged that office-bearers were warned they would lose their posts and election tickets if they failed to reach the national capital by Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Ban claimed that Chikara’s voice could be heard instructing Youth Congress office-bearers to reach the national capital, and alleged that the clip showed the Opposition party threatening its own workers to ensure participation in a protest aimed at reviving Rahul Gandhi’s leadership.
Opposition parties have announced that they would march to the Supreme Court on Monday to demand an end to “vote chori” and the resignation of the chief election commissioner (CEC).
Ban further linked the alleged threats to Congress leader Vishwajeet Kadam’s departure from the agitation by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants in Pune, claiming that the latter had left midway and travelled to Delhi on Sunday due to pressure.
He further demanded that Rahul Gandhi clarify if workers were being coerced into participating in protests, and accused the party of practising the same kind of authoritarianism that it alleges exists in the country.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar hit out at the BJP, claiming that the ruling party was levelling such allegations as it was apprehensive about losing power.
“The BJP is scared that the sand under its feet is being washed away. They are scared to lose power. Opposition parties are voicing people’s outcry, and we will lead them to justice. Such trivial allegations are best ignored,” the former minister said. (PTI)
