Mumbai, Oct 12, 2026 13:18 ISTThe Maharashtra BJP on Monday accused the Congress leadership of threatening Youth Congress workers to ensure their participation in a demonstration in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Congress rejected the charge, saying it reflected the ruling party's insecurity over the prospect of losing power.
The exchange came as opposition parties announced that they would march to the Supreme Court on Monday to demand an end to vote chori and the resignation of the chief election commissioner.
Releasing a purported audio clip of Maharashtra Youth Congress in-charge Ajay Chikara, state BJP chief spokesperson Navnath Ban alleged that office-bearers were warned they would lose their posts and election tickets if they failed to reach the national capital by Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Ban claimed Chikara's voice could be heard telling Youth Congress office-bearers to reach Delhi, and said the clip showed the Congress threatening its own workers to ensure turnout for a protest aimed at reviving Rahul Gandhi's leadership. Ban also linked the alleged threats to Congress leader Vishwajeet Kadam's departure from the agitation by Maharashtra Public Service Commission aspirants in Pune. He claimed Kadam had left the protest midway and travelled to Delhi on Sunday due to pressure.
He further demanded that Rahul Gandhi clarify whether workers were being coerced into joining the protests, and accused the Congress of practising the same kind of authoritarianism that it alleges exists in the country. Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar hit back at the BJP, saying the ruling party was making such allegations because it feared losing power.
The BJP is scared that the sand under its feet is being washed away. They are scared to lose power. Opposition parties are voicing people's outcry, and we will lead them to justice. Such trivial allegations are best ignored, the former minister said.