Restore 13+ Cr Names Removed From Electoral Rolls: Jairam Ramesh
Jairam Ramesh outlines 4 clear demands including CEC resignation and restoration of 13 crore names removed from electoral rolls.
The Congress party has intensified its attack on the Election Commission of India, demanding the immediate restoration of more than 13 crore names that were reportedly removed from electoral rolls. Speaking on Tuesday, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh outlined a set of "clear" demands following a high-level Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in New Delhi.
The meeting saw the participation of top leadership, including Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and senior leader Sonia Gandhi. The party has positioned itself as a force of resistance against what it describes as the "capture" of the electoral process by the RSS and BJP.
The Four Demands of the Congress Party
Jairam Ramesh, who is also the in-charge of Communications, detailed the specific actions the party expects to see to ensure the integrity of India's democratic process. The Congress has formulated four primary demands:
- Immediate resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
- Immediate suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
- Immediate restoration of the 13+ crore names removed from the electoral rolls.
- Resignation of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, whom the party accuses of organising "Vote Chori" (vote theft).
Ramesh emphasized that Rahul Gandhi has been warning the nation about electoral malpractices for over eighteen months, and that recent revelations are a result of the party's sustained efforts and conviction.
The SIR Controversy and Allegations of Malpractice
At the heart of the political storm is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. According to a resolution passed by the CWC, more than 13 crore names were stripped from draft voter lists during this exercise across 30 states and Union Territories.
The controversy gained significant momentum following an investigative report by The Indian Express. The report suggested that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over a ten-month period regarding the decisions and procedures connected to the SIR.
The Election Commission's Response
The Election Commission has moved to downplay the reports of internal friction. The Commission has rejected the notion that the reported objections signify institutional dissent, maintaining that all decisions pertaining to the SIR exercise were reached with the unanimous approval of the Commission members.
Despite the Commission's stance, the Congress party remains undeterred. Jairam Ramesh stated that the party is not merely an opposition entity but a "party of resistance," vowing to continue the struggle until the electoral integrity of the country is secured.