Flagged off by PCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra, the symbolic campaign aims to expose alleged voter list tampering and demand electoral transparency in Jammu & Kashmir and beyond.
By: Javid Amin | 08 November 2025
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has launched an ambitious “Vote Chori” (Vote Theft) signature campaign vehicle, joining a nationwide protest movement led by the Indian National Congress against alleged electoral fraud, voter list manipulation, and democratic erosion.
The campaign was formally flagged off by JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra from the party’s Jammu headquarters, in the presence of senior leaders, workers, and media representatives.
“This campaign is a voice of the people against the silent theft of democracy,” said Karra while addressing the gathering.
“The Congress party will not stay silent when the sanctity of the vote—the soul of democracy—is being compromised.”
A Symbolic Caravan of Resistance
The campaign vehicle, branded with the slogan “Vote Chori Bandh Karo”, will travel through key districts of Jammu and Kashmir before heading to New Delhi, carrying over two lakh signatures collected from citizens across the Union Territory.
These signatures will be submitted to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters as a symbolic demand for electoral accountability and transparency in governance.
“From Srinagar to Samba, the people have signed not just their names, but their trust in democracy,” said a JKPCC spokesperson.
“This is not a partisan movement—it’s a moral statement.”
Nationwide ‘Vote Chori’ Campaign: The Bigger Picture
The Jammu and Kashmir leg of the campaign is part of the Congress party’s nationwide initiative led by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, targeting what the party calls “systemic voter list tampering and booth-level irregularities.”
The larger campaign, launched in multiple states, seeks to highlight issues such as:
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Deletion of genuine voters’ names from electoral rolls
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Manipulated voter transfers across constituencies
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Unregulated use of digital and administrative resources during elections
“We are witnessing a crisis of democracy,” said a senior Congress leader. “The ruling party wants control, not consent. Through this campaign, we are reclaiming people’s voice.”
Campaign Continues Despite Challenges
Despite heavy rains and flood conditions across parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the campaign vehicle’s flag-off went ahead as planned.
Party workers said that the weather only strengthened their resolve to “speak truth to power.”
Images shared by the J&K Congress social media team showed supporters braving the downpour, waving the tricolor, and chanting slogans demanding electoral integrity.
“Even the rain couldn’t stop the people from standing up for their right to vote freely and fairly,” said Congress youth leader Shoaib Lone.
“This shows the emotional and political energy behind the movement.”
Tariq Hameed Karra: ‘Democracy Can’t Survive Vote Theft’
Tariq Hameed Karra, a former parliamentarian known for his outspoken defense of democratic rights, described the Vote Chori campaign as both symbolic and strategic.
“Our Constitution rests on free and fair elections. If votes are stolen—silently or systematically—the entire democratic edifice collapses,” he said.
“This campaign is about restoring faith in that process.”
Karra also urged civil society organizations, students, and NGOs to join hands in demanding electoral accountability, adding that the Congress party would not allow “digital manipulation or administrative influence” to undermine the sanctity of elections.
From Jammu to Delhi: A Journey for Accountability
The “Vote Chori” campaign vehicle is expected to travel through Udhampur, Ramban, Banihal, Anantnag, and Srinagar, before proceeding toward Delhi, where it will be received by Rahul Gandhi and senior AICC leaders.
The collected signatures will be presented as part of a nationwide memorandum to the Election Commission of India, urging:
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Audit of voter list anomalies
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Strict enforcement of Model Code of Conduct
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Transparency in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
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Protection of opposition campaign rights
Political Significance in J&K
Political observers view the Congress’s move as a strategic attempt to regain relevance in Jammu and Kashmir’s evolving political landscape, especially amid the NC-PDP-BJP rivalry dominating current discourse.
Analyst Dr. Aamir Qadri notes:
“By raising the banner of electoral integrity, the Congress is reframing the debate—from regional identity to democratic fairness. That’s a national narrative that resonates beyond Kashmir.”
The campaign also comes at a time when by-elections in Budgam and Nagrota have heightened political tensions, with all major parties seeking to shape voter perceptions ahead of the 2026 General Elections.
Public Response: Growing Support
In several districts, citizens reportedly gathered voluntarily to sign the petition, reflecting growing frustration over electoral transparency and governance accountability.
Social media posts under the hashtag #VoteChoriBandhKaro gained traction, with thousands of users echoing Congress’s call for a “democracy audit.”
Bottom-Line: A Campaign Beyond Politics
The “Vote Chori” campaign vehicle may be a symbol, but its message runs deep — that electoral credibility is the lifeblood of democracy.
As it moves from Jammu’s rain-drenched streets to the corridors of Delhi’s political power, the Congress hopes the journey will rekindle faith in the power of the people’s vote.
“Votes are sacred. Elections are not a favor — they are a right,” Karra said as the vehicle rolled out to chants of Bharat Jodo, Loktantra Bachao.
