Margao (Goa): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday (October 18, 2026) launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi planned “vote theft” from behind the scenes, which was operationalised by Home Minister Amit Shah and implemented by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Addressing a rally in Margao in south Goa, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed the three were having “sleepless nights” and would face justice and pay the price for “vote chori.”
“There is no confusion anymore. Gyanesh Kumar implements the vote theft, Amit Shah operationalises it, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi does the entire planning from behind the scenes,” Mr. Gandhi told the gathering.
‘They Cannot Escape’
The Congress leader said his party was a protector of the Constitution, adding that Mr. Modi, Mr. Shah and Mr. Kumar knew they could not escape. “You think about Goa. In Delhi, in a short while, we will deal with Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. You don’t need to worry about that. The work is underway; their expiry date is approaching,” he said.
“I guarantee you that we are going to deal with Mr. Modi, Mr. Shah and Mr. Kumar — all of them. They cannot escape,” he added.
Defamation Cases, No Vote Theft Case
Mr. Gandhi claimed there were more than 45 defamation cases against him, including those filed by people associated with Mr. Modi and Mr. Shah. However, no case had been filed against him for alleging the Prime Minister’s involvement in vote theft.
“They are afraid that if a case is filed over the allegation of vote theft, then it will become a full-fledged legal matter and they will get entangled in it,” he said.
He claimed the Congress had proved with evidence that vote theft took place in Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Assam. “Votes of Opposition were removed, votes were added in favour of the ruling party, and voters were shifted between districts and brought in from other States,” he alleged.
‘Goa Model of Corruption’
Accusing the BJP-led government of favouring industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani, Mr. Gandhi alleged infrastructure projects and economic opportunities were being handed over to billionaires in exchange for publicity and political support. “This is how their system works: give billionaires money, give them contracts, give them land. In return, the billionaires do their marketing,” he alleged.
On Goa, he alleged the State government was snatching land from farmers and poor people and selling it to “outsiders,” and accused it of exploiting the State’s natural and cultural wealth. “Earlier, there was the Gujarat model of Narendra Modi. Here, there is a special Goa model of corruption,” he said.
He also alleged that BJP-ruled Goa had the highest unemployment in the country and that young people were leaving the coastal State to seek opportunities abroad.
Education and Students
Criticising the alleged use of force against students protesting in Delhi, Mr. Gandhi accused the BJP and the RSS of influencing appointments in universities. “India used to have a world-class education system earlier, but now pellet guns are being used against student protesters,” he alleged. “This country does not belong to the RSS. This country does not belong to the BJP. This country belongs to the people of India.”
He also took a dig at the Prime Minister: “Where is the 56-inch chest of Modiji these days? He cannot stand in front…”
Goy Rakhon Yatra Concludes
Before addressing the rally, Mr. Gandhi participated in the Congress’s ‘Goy Rakhon Yatra’ on its concluding day, walking 2 km with party workers and leaders. The 27-day-long yatra covered all 40 Assembly constituencies in the coastal State, aimed at strengthening the Congress’ grassroots presence ahead of the 2027 Goa Assembly elections. The party described the yatra as a movement to safeguard the State’s land, environment, cultural heritage and identity.
Mr. Gandhi appealed to voters to give the Congress a full majority in the 2027 polls and urged party workers to remain vigilant during elections, calling them “guardians of the Constitution.”
