Could Vote Theft Spark Protests in India Like Our Neighbors, Questions Akhilesh Yadav?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Akhilesh Yadav warns against vote theft leading to protests.
- The Election Commission must ensure electoral integrity.
- Political unrest in Nepal is a cautionary tale.
- Uttar Pradesh struggles with high corruption rates.
- Collaboration is essential for fair elections.
Lucknow, Sep 12 (NationPress) The president of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Akhilesh Yadav, has issued a stark warning that if the issue of "vote theft" persists, citizens in India may find themselves taking to the streets, similar to the unrest seen in neighboring nations.
During a press conference on Friday, Yadav accused both the government and the Election Commission of failing to uphold the principles of free and fair elections.
"The Election Commission must ensure that no vote theft occurs. If not, what we observe in neighboring countries could happen here too," he stated, specifically referencing the political turmoil in Nepal.
He emphasized that the electoral body needs to adhere to the directives issued by the Supreme Court.
"The Election Commission has to operate according to the Supreme Court’s orders. It must not function as the BJP’s jugaad commission," the SP chief remarked.
Addressing the internal political dynamics in Nepal, Yadav pointed out that several factors such as poverty, unemployment, and inflation contribute to the situation.
"In today’s social media age, various narratives arise. We cannot assess the situation based solely on one aspect. However, our focus should be on maintaining peace both in our neighboring countries and at our borders," he remarked.
Yadav also condemned the Indian government’s foreign policy, labeling it a "failure".
Focusing on Uttar Pradesh, he alleged that the state leads in issues such as corruption, kidnappings, and "digital arrests".
He stated, "People are dying from poison consumed outside the Chief Minister’s residence. A 60% commission is rampant in Panchayati Raj. BJP leaders are superficial; they lack genuine work. In contrast, the Sikh community has demonstrated its resilience through hard work and courage."
Recently, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, accused the BJP of vote theft during his visit to his parliamentary constituency, Raebareli, asserting that the BJP is shaken by his revelations.