Why Has Congress Mobilized Protests Over Arrest of Party Worker in MP Linked to Bihar 'Vote Theft' Allegations?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The arrest of Congress worker Manjeet Ghoshi in Madhya Pradesh amid rising tensions over Bihar Assembly election allegations has sparked significant protests. Senior Congress leaders condemn the act as a suppression of dissent, urging party members to rally in support. This incident raises questions about political freedom and the integrity of electoral processes.
Key Takeaways
- Arrest of Congress worker raises concerns over political freedom.
- Protests initiated by party members following the detention.
- Allegations of electoral malpractice continue to fuel political tensions.
- Legal actions anticipated against police conduct.
- Importance of protecting dissent in democratic processes.
Bhopal/Narsinghpur, Nov 22 (NationPress) In a significant turn of events amidst the rising tensions surrounding allegations of electoral misconduct in the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections, a local Congress member, Manjeet Ghoshi, was apprehended at his residence in Madhya Pradesh's Narsinghpur district early Saturday morning, inciting protests from party affiliates.
A collaborative team from Delhi and Rajasthan Police took Ghoshi into custody from his home in the Tendukheda region and transported him to Delhi for questioning.
As per police reports, the arrest was linked to a post shared by Ghoshi on the social media platform X, where he circulated an earlier video of a protest rally in Rajasthan, misleadingly depicting it as proof of public discontent in Bihar regarding claimed “vote chori (vote theft)” by the BJP-led NDA after their substantial victory earlier this month.
In a strong response to the arrest, senior Congress figure and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath, expressed on X (in Hindi) that the lodging of FIRs against Manjeet Ghoshi (@ghoshi_manjeet) in Delhi and Rajasthan solely for voicing concerns about electoral fraud, followed by his detention in this manner, is utterly reprehensible.
“I urge Congress supporters in Narsinghpur to provide every possible support to Manjeet during this challenging period. I also call upon the BJP to refrain from abusing its power to stifle free speech. Let the BJP and the Election Commission be clearly notified: Every Congress member is unwavering in their dedication to thwart any form of vote theft or electoral fraud. No level of state coercion or intimidation will dissuade us from this responsibility,” the senior Congress leader stated.
The arrest provoked immediate outrage from the Congress party. District Congress President and former MLA, Sunita Patel, spearheaded a two-hour demonstration outside the local Superintendent of Police's office, criticizing what she termed as selective targeting.
In an interview with IANS, she remarked: “We consulted with the Superintendent of Police, Narsinghpur, but they failed to provide us with a copy of the FIR or clarify the specific charges leading to his arrest and transfer by Delhi and Rajasthan Police. The SP assured us that the detailed reasons would be disclosed after the investigation concludes. Thousands discuss elections daily—why target our worker? This suggests political revenge aimed at stifling dissent regarding Bihar's disputed results.”
Patel vowed to escalate protests if necessary. Preliminary reports suggest that the post, shared shortly after the Bihar results were announced, allegedly breached regulations concerning the dissemination of false information and inciting communal or electoral discord, resulting in FIRs filed across multiple states.
Narsinghpur Additional Superintendent of Police Sandeep Bhuria confirmed that the actions were initiated based on legal complaints and characterized it as a routine inter-state issue.
Ghoshi’s family expressed their disbelief, with his brother Laxmikant stating that they received no advance notice.
“The police came unexpectedly and took him away. We are still unaware of the exact charges,” he informed reporters.
Congress insiders indicated that the party intends to seek legal recourse against the police's actions in Delhi.
The NDA acquired over 200 seats in the 243-member Bihar Assembly. Opposition allegations of voter-list manipulation and EVM tampering have been thoroughly dismissed by the Election Commission and independent fact-checkers.
Point of View
It is imperative to approach the recent arrest of Congress worker Manjeet Ghoshi with impartiality. This incident underscores the complexities of political discourse in India, where allegations of electoral malpractice are met with significant backlash. It is vital to ensure that dissenting voices are heard and protected in the democratic process.
NationPress
22/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the arrest of Manjeet Ghoshi?
Manjeet Ghoshi was arrested due to a social media post where he shared an old video misleadingly depicting public outrage in Bihar regarding alleged electoral fraud by the BJP.
What has been the Congress party's response to the arrest?
The Congress party has condemned the arrest, labeling it as an attempt to silence dissent, and has organized protests in support of Ghoshi.
What are the legal implications of Ghoshi's arrest?
Ghoshi's arrest has raised questions about freedom of expression and may lead to legal challenges against the police actions based on claims of political vendetta.
What are the allegations regarding the Bihar Assembly elections?
Opposition parties have raised concerns about voter-list manipulations and electronic voting machine tampering, which have been denied by the Election Commission.
