PM Modi trying to do match-fixing in Lok Sabha polls: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi asserted that if the BJP succeeds in its endeavours, the country’s Constitution will be changed and people’s rights taken away.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on March 31 accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to do "match-fixing" in the Lok Sabha polls and asserted that if the BJP succeeds in its endeavours, the country's Constitution will be changed and people's rights taken away.

Addressing the INDIA bloc's 'Save Democracy' rally at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, the former Congress chief said this is not an ordinary election but one to save the country’s democracy and Constitution.

"When pressure is put on umpires and captain, players are bought off and the match is won, in cricket, it is called match-fixing. We have Lok Sabha polls before us. Who selected the umpires? Before the match started, two players were arrested... Narendra Modi is trying to do match-fixing in these polls," Mr. Gandhi said.

The BJP is raising the slogan of getting 400 seats, but without EVMs, match-fixing, pressure on opposition leaders and buying media, they will not be able to cross even 180 seats, he claimed.

Mr. Gandhi said the Congress is the biggest opposition party and all its accounts have been frozen.

"Two chief ministers were arrested. What kind of election is this," Mr. Gandhi alleged, adding, "Match-fixing is being done by PM Modi along with three-four billionaires. This is being done to snatch the Constitution from the poor." The Constitution is the voice of the people and the day it is finished, this country will be finished, he asserted, adding if the Constitution goes, the rights of the poor and reservation will also go.

"A BJP MP said 'we will change the Constitution when we get over 400 seats'. It was not said just like that, it was to test the idea," Mr. Gandhi said, referring to Anantkumar Hegde's remark about amending the Constitution.