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New Delhi, Nov 15 (IANS) The Congress on Saturday described the Bihar Assembly election results as “unbelievable”, alleging massive vote rigging and electoral fraud, even as discontent grows within the party and the broader Indian faction.
AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, speaking after a strategy meeting at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, said the party will conduct a detailed, data-driven review of the results.
He insisted that “major fraud” had taken place and warned that the country was going through a “very serious phase”.
According to him, strict legal action and follow-up measures will be initiated after collecting and investigating all relevant data.
The Congress leadership has already reached out to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Venugopal has confirmed that the India alliance will jointly evaluate the Bihar decision.
Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also held a separate assessment meeting focused on the party’s unprecedented poor performance.
Congress, which had won 19 seats in the last elections, could win only six seats this time.
The grand alliance comprising RJD, Congress and Left parties together won 35 seats, while the NDA retained power with 202 seats.
Within the Congress, many leaders privately admit that Rahul Gandhi’s election strategy failed, adding to the disappointment after the defeat.
Amidst this internal churning, the party has decided to continue with its “vote looting” claims.
Congress leaders also accused the Election Commission of India of “assisting” the BJP by “allowing irregularities” in the voter list after a particularly intensive vetting exercise.
Kharge has spoken to Tejashwi again and is expected to meet soon for a detailed introspection of the Grand Alliance leaders’ loss in Bihar.
Ahead of the winter session of Parliament, the India Bloc will convene a national-level meeting to decide its collective political response to the Bihar attack.
–IANS
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