Odisha Youth Congress stages massive protest in Bhubaneswar against “Vote Rigging” & “Job Sale”

Bhubaneswar, Oct 9 (UNI) Hundreds of Odisha Youth Congress activists today staged a massive demonstration in Bhubaneswar, protesting against what they alleged to be “vote rigging” and “job sales” by the ruling BJP governments at the Centre and in Odisha.
Tension flared when the protesters tried to break through police barricades in an attempt to march towards the Chief Minister’s residence and the Chief Electoral Office.

A brief scuffle ensued, following which the police detained several Youth Congress activists and cleared Mahatma Gandhi Marg, the venue of the protest.

The protest was led by All India Youth Congress National President Uday Bhanu Chib and State Youth Congress President Ranjit Patra.

Holding placards and banners denouncing the Modi government at the Centre and the Mohan Majhi government in Odisha, the demonstrators accused the BJP of “stealing votes to seize power.”
Addressing the gathering, Chib alleged that both the Modi and Majhi governments were “not elected, but selected” through the manipulation of votes.
He said the “Protest Against Deception” rally reflected the frustration of Odisha’s youth over issues such as vote rigging, job sales, deteriorating law and order, rising crimes against women, and spiralling prices.
Chib further alleged that Rahul Gandhi had exposed the nexus between the BJP and the Election Commission, claiming that the democratic rights of citizens were being undermined.
“The Election Commission has become a tool in the hands of the Modi government instead of functioning as an independent institution,” he remarked.

He also accused the BJP and its affiliates of attempting to destabilise both the state and the nation. Expressing concern over the worsening law-and-order situation in Odisha, Chib said that “on average, 15 women face sexual assault every day, and over 65,000 women are missing in the state.”
“In Odisha, women feel unsafe in educational institutions, government offices, and even police stations. There are reports that the post of Sub-Inspector is being sold for Rs.25 lakh,” he alleged.
Odisha in-charge Mahesh Deshmukh, who also participated in the protest, criticised the Election Commission and the Majhi government for their alleged involvement in vote rigging and job sales.
State Youth Congress President Ranjit Patra asserted that the Youth Congress would continue to fight for the rights of Odisha’s youth and would intensify its agitation against unemployment, poor law and order, crimes against women, and unchecked price rise.