Politics / Dharmendra Pradhan targets Congress over ‘Vote Theft’ claims at “Loktantra Bachao, Arajakata Hatao” rally in Sambalpur

Sambalpur, Nov 10: Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday accused the Congress and the INDIA bloc of attempting to conceal their electoral defeats through what he termed a “false narrative” of vote theft, while participating in the BJP’s “Loktantra Bachao, Arajakata Hatao” (Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy) march in Sambalpur.

Addressing a public meeting after joining the padayatra organised by the district BJP unit, Pradhan called for a mass awareness campaign in defence of democracy and against what he described as attempts to create political instability.

“ଗଣତନ୍ତ୍ରର ଅପମାନ, ସହିବ ନାହିଁ ହିନ୍ଦୁସ୍ତାନ” ସମ୍ବଲପୁରରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ "ଲୋକତନ୍ତ୍ର ବଞ୍ଚାଓ - ଅରାଜକତା ହଟାଓ" ପଦଯାତ୍ରାରେ ସାମିଲ ହେଲି । ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ସ୍ୱାଭିମାନ, ଅସ୍ମିତା ଏବଂ ସମଗ୍ର ଦେଶରେ ଗଣତନ୍ତ୍ରକୁ ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ ରଖିବା ପାଇଁ ଆୟୋଜିତ ଏହି ପଦଯାତ୍ରା ପ୍ରତି ଜନସାଧାରଣଙ୍କ ବିପୁଳ ସମର୍ଥନ ରହିଛି । ମା’ ସମଲେଶ୍ୱରୀଙ୍କ ପବିତ୍ର ମାଟିରୁ ଅରାଜକତା ଏବଂ ମିଥ୍ୟାଚାରର ମୂଳପୋଛ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଆଜି ସମ୍ବଲପୁରର ଯୁବକ, ମହିଳା ଓ ସାଧାରଣ ଜନତା ଏକାଠି ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି ।

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 10, 2026

Criticism of Opposition

Pradhan, a senior BJP leader, alleged that the Congress and its allies were raising questions about electoral processes and constitutional institutions to mask their declining political fortunes. He said parties that accepted Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the Election Commission when victorious were now discrediting the same institutions after electoral setbacks.

He argued that the opposition’s allegations of “vote theft” reflected political frustration and compared them to the proverbial “sour grapes” response of parties unable to secure public support.

Electoral Roll Revision

Referring to the ongoing revision of electoral rolls, Pradhan questioned the opposition’s objections and accused it of seeking political gains through the inclusion of deceased people, shifted voters and illegal infiltrators in voter lists.

He asserted that the protection of illegal entrants and fraudulent voters was a matter of concern and said such attempts would not be tolerated.

Democracy and Representation

Highlighting India’s democratic framework, Pradhan said the country’s constitutional institutions had enabled individuals from humble and tribal backgrounds to occupy the highest offices. He cited President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as examples of opportunities created by democratic governance.

He further alleged that certain opposition forces were unable to accept these changes and were attempting to spread confusion and disorder.
Also Read: Dharmendra Pradhan Slams Congress Over Karnataka SIR Exercise

Call for Public Support

Describing the march as a movement to safeguard Odisha’s pride, identity and democratic values, Pradhan urged party workers and supporters to take the message across the State. He maintained that India’s development journey under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership would continue uninterrupted.

The programme was attended by Odisha Panchayati Raj, Rural Development and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra, district BJP president Ramachandra Meher and other party leaders.