Shimla, Nov. 1 -- Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu along with other senior leaders from the state will be participating in the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on Sunday, demanding the replacement of electronic voting machines (EVMs) with ballot papers and alleging irregularities in the electoral process. Speaking to the media on Saturday after paying floral tributes to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary and remembering Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, Sukhu said that the rally was being organised to protect democracy and oppose what the Congress described as "electoral irregularities". He said the party believed that the right to vote had been secured after a long struggle and must be protected. "If votes are stolen and a government is formed through 'vote theft', then this rally is against that. We have the right to protest in a democracy, and we are using that right," Sukhu said. He said the Congress had played an important role in establishing democratic institutions and providing voting rights to citizens after Independence. Sukhu also accused the BJP of benefiting from the democratic system while allegedly undermining electoral processes. Sukhu, during a state-level function held in Shimla on Saturday, honoured sportspersons who have brought laurels to the state through their outstanding performances at national and international sporting events with the Him Ratna-2026 Awards. He presented cheques worth Rs.17.85 crore to 419 outstanding sportspersons of the state. Of the awardees, 51 were recognised for their achievements in international competitions, while 368 were honoured for their outstanding performances at the national level. Cheques worth Rs.13.55 crore were presented to international-level sportspersons and Rs.4.30 crore to national-level players. Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that sports were an important part of education as they helped young people develop discipline, self-confidence and leadership qualities. Sukhu said that every player winning a medal in a team event would receive at least 25% of the total award money. Sukhu said that the state government would launch the 'Khelo Himachal Campaign' in Dharamshala from November 20 to make young people aware of the harmful effects of drug abuse, particularly the use of "chitta". Cricket, volleyball and kabaddi competitions will be organised as part of the campaign. Young men and women between 15 and 30 years of age will be eligible to participate. The competitions will be held at sub-divisional, district and state levels. At the state level, the winning team will receive Rs.21 lakh, the second-placed team Rs.15 lakh and the third-placed team Rs.10 lakh. At the district level, the first, second and third-placed teams will receive Rs.2 lakh, Rs.1.5 lakh and Rs.1 lakh, respectively. The CM said that the Congress is fighting for the state's interests. He asserted that his government has secured public assets, adding that the Wildflower Hall hotel will generate around Rs.1,000 crore for the state over the next 20 years. Sukhu defended the government's handling of public properties and said the state had fought legal battles to ensure that valuable assets were protected and their revenue benefits accrued to the government....