Chandigarh, October 13
Haryana Congress In-charge Sanjay Dutt and State Congress President Rao Narender Singh addressed a press conference today at the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters in Chandigarh. They stated that the ‘Save the Vote–Save the Nation’ campaign, being conducted under the leadership of Indian National Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, will evolve into a decisive mass movement to protect democracy, the Constitution and the voting rights of every citizen. The Congress Party is committed to ensuring transparency, impartiality and accountability in the electoral process and will launch a statewide public awareness campaign to achieve this objective.
State Congress In-charge Sanjay Dutt said that the massive public turnout during the protest march held in Delhi on October 12 had made it clear that the people of the country are fully alert and determined to protect democracy and the Constitution. He said that the serious issue of vote theft and the growing demand for accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had now become a nationwide public concern. The Congress Party demands that questions being raised about the fairness and credibility of the electoral process be answered and that the independence of democratic institutions be safeguarded.
He said that, in accordance with the directions of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), a comprehensive action plan had been prepared for the next two months under the ‘Save the Vote–Save the Nation’ campaign. As part of this initiative, block-level marches and public outreach programmes are being organised across all blocks of Haryana from October 14 to October 24, 2026. Through these programmes, people will be made aware of the importance of voting rights, constitutional rights and the need to strengthen the democratic system.
Sanjay Dutt said that the Congress Party’s objective was not merely to register its protest but also to educate and mobilise ordinary citizens in defence of democracy. He stated that whenever questions arise concerning citizens’ votes and their constitutional rights, addressing those concerns becomes a responsibility of the democratic system. The Congress Party will take up this issue with full determination among the people and continue its struggle until accountability is ensured.
Haryana Congress President Rao Narender Singh said that the party would ensure extensive public participation in every block of the state under the ‘Save the Vote–Save the Nation’ campaign. Under the leadership of the respective Block Congress Committees, Janpad Yatras (public marches), cycle rallies and motorcycle rallies will be organised, starting from the statues of Mahatma Gandhi or Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and proceeding to the office of the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or the local administrative headquarters.
He said that at the conclusion of these programmes, Congress leaders, office-bearers and workers would collectively recite Article 326 of the Indian Constitution, which deals with adult suffrage, and reaffirm their commitment to democratic values and constitutional rights through the singing of the National Anthem. In accordance with the directions of the All India Congress Committee, effigies of the Chief Election Commissioner will also be burnt as a mark of protest. All programmes will be conducted peacefully, in a disciplined manner and in accordance with democratic principles.
Rao Narender Singh said that coordination and active participation at every level of the organisation were essential for the success of the campaign. All District Congress Committee and Block Congress Committee presidents have been instructed to coordinate with the in-charges appointed for their respective districts, prepare an effective programme schedule and ensure the successful organisation of these activities within the stipulated timeframe.
He said that Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, former MPs, former MLAs, party candidates in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, senior leaders, office-bearers, public representatives, frontal organisations, departments, cells and Congress workers would actively participate in these programmes. With organisational unity and the hard work of party workers, the campaign would be taken to every village, town and city across the state.
The State Congress President said that the right to vote was the foundation of democracy and that maintaining public confidence in the fairness of the electoral process was of utmost importance. The Congress Party remains committed to protecting the fundamental spirit of the Constitution, the independence of democratic institutions and the rights of citizens. Through the ‘Save the Vote–Save the Nation’ campaign, the party will raise these issues prominently among the people and continue its struggle to strengthen democracy.
In conclusion, Sanjay Dutt and Rao Narender Singh appealed to all Congress leaders, office-bearers and workers across Haryana to accord the campaign the highest priority and participate with complete dedication, unity and organisational discipline. They emphasised that these collective efforts would ensure that the message of protecting democracy and the Constitution reaches every citizen and that the ‘Save the Vote–Save the Nation’ campaign emerges as a powerful mass movement.