Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made an emotional statement at the party’s ‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod’ rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on December 14, 2025. He revealed that his son had undergone an eight-hour surgery, but he chose to remain in Delhi to attend the rally and participate in the political fight over alleged vote theft. .
Kharge Explains Why He Stayed in Delhi
Addressing the gathering, Kharge said his family members, including his wife and doctor daughter, had urged him to visit Bengaluru to be with his son during the major surgery. However, he decided to stay in Delhi, citing the ongoing parliamentary session and the importance of the rally.
Kharge compared his decision with the sacrifices made by soldiers protecting the country and referred to the contributions of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, as well as Sonia Gandhi.
‘We Have to Save 140 Crore People’
Explaining his decision, Kharge said he could not leave the larger political struggle for the sake of being with his son. He stressed that the fight he was participating in was about protecting the country’s democratic institutions and the rights of its citizens.
His remarks drew applause from the audience. Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and other leaders present on the stage stood up and applauded his statement.
Congress Targets BJP Over Alleged Vote Theft
The rally was organised under the slogan ‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod’, with Congress leaders accusing the BJP and the Election Commission of undermining electoral fairness. These allegations were central to the party’s campaign and were strongly rejected by its political opponents.
Kharge urged party workers to remain united and continue their political struggle. His remarks about his son’s surgery became one of the key moments of the rally, bringing personal sacrifice and the party’s political message into the spotlight.