"Fix the Mess": Dipankar Bhattacharya Slams EC Over Voter Deletions
CPI(ML) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya criticizes the EC over voter deletions and announces a mega rally on November 1.
CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission (EC), demanding an immediate correction of what he describes as a "mess" regarding voter deletions in Delhi. Speaking at a public hearing, Bhattacharya warned that public agitations would intensify as the opposition prepares for a massive showdown.
Questioning the Election Commission's Unity
During the ‘Vote Adhikar Jeene Ka Adhikar’ Jan Sunwai held at Trilokpuri Block 20 in New Delhi, Bhattacharya dismissed claims that the EC's recent decisions on electoral roll updates were collective efforts. He questioned the narrative that the full panel acted in unison, pointing to internal frictions.
"They're now pressuring all the election commissioners to say that everything was decided together. So if everything was decided together, why did they file complaints 14 times in 10 months?"
Bhattacharya highlighted a specific instance where 416 people across four booths were removed from the rolls, asserting that regardless of whether the decision was individual or collective, the outcome was an error that must be rectified.
Escalation and the November 1 Mega Rally
The CPI(ML) leader welcomed the ongoing public hearings across the capital, viewing them as a vital platform for affected citizens to voice their grievances. He announced that these efforts would culminate in a significant rally on November 1, where the issue of impeachment will be brought to the public forefront.
This movement aligns with the broader protests by the INDIA bloc against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, amid allegations of systemic irregularities and the illegal removal of voters.
"War" on Traders and Government Accountability
Beyond electoral concerns, Bhattacharya raised the alarm regarding the plight of Delhi's trading community. He alleged that the authorities have "declared war" on traders under the guise of removing encroachments, adding to the severe financial distress they already face.
He directly blamed the Modi government and Home Minister Amit Shah for the economic losses suffered by local businesses. Bhattacharya argued that the government's decision to halt metro services, stop train traffic, and install heavy police barricades crippled trade.
"Who told you to stop the trains? Who told you to stop the metro? Who told you to put up barricades?" he questioned, suggesting that if protests at Jantar Mantar had been allowed to remain peaceful, the disruption to business would have been avoided.
Upcoming Political Storm in Delhi
The political temperature in the capital is set to rise further with a series of planned events by the opposition:
- October 30: The Congress party plans to hold a public impeachment-style proceeding against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
- November 1: A ‘Dilli Chalo’ march followed by a massive public gathering at Ramlila Maidan.