Congress youth suspends 215 office-bearers for skipping 'Vote Chori' rally
What's the story
The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) has suspended 215 office-bearers across eight states for skipping a key rally on November 1. The event was organized by the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral roll irregularities. Per HT, people aware of the matter said the IYC used a mobile application and barcode scanners to track attendance at the rally, which was the largest opposition mobilization in recent years.
Suspension details
Madhya Pradesh tops list of suspensions
"Office-bearers who did not register and follow the instructions on the application were among those who faced action," a party leader said.
The IYC leadership had directed all national, state, and district-level office-bearers to attend the rally and its preceding march.
The suspension orders were issued on November 3 and will remain in effect until further notice.
Madhya Pradesh saw the highest number of suspensions, with 60 office bearers suspended for organizational indiscipline in missing the "Vote Chori Rally."
Rally aftermath
Rahul Gandhi slams Modi, Shah
Despite the suspensions, IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib called the rally "extremely successful," with over 15,000 Youth Congress workers attending.
However, only 2,831 people registered on the IYC's official app owing to a lack of technical awareness and interest, while slow internet speeds along the stretch from Minto Road to Ramlila Maidan also affected registrations.
After the rally, Rahul Gandhi praised the turnout on social media.
"This groundswell ensures democracy will prevail; truth will prevail. INDIA will prevail!" he wrote.
Review process
Congress reviewing attendance and performance
The Congress war room is reviewing attendance and performance of district presidents under the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan program. Feedback is being sought on their performance during the rally.
The party may take action against district presidents who stayed away without a valid reason, sources told NDTV.
While the party claimed that 10 lakh people would attend, sources told the channel that the actual attendance was below one lakh.