Congress held a massive rally in Kailashahar with the slogan “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chor,” accusing PM Modi of stealing the 2024 Lok Sabha mandate. Leaders slammed BJP for neglecting development and vowed to revive Congress’s grassroots presence in Tripura.
Kailashahar witnessed a strong political show of strength on Thursday evening as the District Congress Committee organized a massive rally at Netaji Corner, raising the slogan “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chor” (Vote thief, leave the chair). The event marked the first large-scale Congress mobilization in Kailashahar since the 2023 Assembly elections and drew a huge crowd of supporters, signalling the party’s intent to revive its grassroots presence in the region.
The rally was attended by several senior Congress leaders including Tripura Congress in-charge Christopher Tilak, Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Ashish Saha, MLAs Birajit Sinha and Gopal Roy, district president Md. Badruzzaman, state general secretary Rudrendu Bhattacharjee, and Youth Congress president Neel Ratan Saha, among others. Their collective presence underscored the importance the party is now attaching to Kailashahar, a politically significant town in Tripura.
Allegations Against Prime Minister and BJP
Addressing the gathering, TPCC president Ashish Saha made scathing remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, directly accusing him of “stealing” the 2024 Lok Sabha election. He alleged that the BJP manipulated the vote count, claiming that counting was mysteriously halted for five hours in several constituencies, leading to what he termed as a “manufactured victory.”
“Modi did not win through the people’s mandate, but through manipulation. He is not just a vote thief but a thief of democracy itself,” Saha declared, as the crowd echoed the slogan “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chor.”
The Congress leader’s speech drew loud cheers from party supporters, who expressed anger over what they believe was an orchestrated electoral manipulation.
Criticism of Kailashahar’s Neglect
Tripura Congress in-charge Christopher Tilak highlighted the neglect of Kailashahar under both the CPI(M) and BJP governments. He criticized the state of civic amenities, pointing out that the town’s roads remain broken, schools lack adequate teachers, and hospitals are short of doctors and essential facilities.
Tilak argued that despite repeated promises, the BJP government has failed to recruit sufficient teachers, doctors, and other essential staff. “The neglect is deliberate. Both the Left and the BJP have turned Kailashahar into a forgotten town. Congress will not allow this injustice to continue,” he said.
Symbol of Political Reawakening
For the Congress, the rally was more than just a show of strength. It was an attempt to reconnect with the electorate of Kailashahar, a constituency that has historically played an important role in shaping Tripura’s politics. The overwhelming turnout of supporters suggested that the Congress message resonated strongly among sections of the population dissatisfied with the current administration.
Local Congress leaders also emphasized unity within the party and the need to fight both the BJP and CPI(M) simultaneously. They urged party workers to remain vigilant, organize at the grassroots, and prepare for upcoming electoral battles.
Political Significance
The Kailashahar rally is significant as it signals Congress’s determination to challenge the BJP’s dominance in Tripura. The slogan “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chor” is likely to be used repeatedly in the coming months as the Congress attempts to frame the BJP’s electoral victory as illegitimate.
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Observers note that this strategy could potentially energize opposition ranks across Tripura, particularly if the Congress is able to sustain momentum through more such rallies and grassroots mobilization. For now, the Kailashahar rally has given the Congress renewed visibility in the state’s political landscape, and its fiery rhetoric against Prime Minister Modi has ensured national attention.
With Tripura politics becoming increasingly polarized, the Congress’s latest move may mark the beginning of a more aggressive opposition strategy in the run-up to future elections.
