CM Patel Slams Opposition Over Voter Roll Contradictions
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel accuses Opposition of hypocrisy for opposing ECI's voter roll revision after previously demanding bogus entry removal.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has launched a scathing attack on Opposition parties, accusing them of blatant hypocrisy regarding the integrity of electoral rolls. The Chief Minister noted a sharp contradiction in their stance: while these leaders previously demanded the removal of duplicate and bogus entries, they are now actively opposing the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
The Allegation of Political Opportunism
Taking to the social media platform X, Patel highlighted the inconsistency in the Opposition's demands. He pointed out that the very leaders who raised alarms about discrepancies in voter lists are now standing in the way of the official mechanism designed to fix those exact issues.
"One cannot demand pure, error-free voter lists and simultaneously oppose the statutory mechanism designed to achieve it," Patel stated, emphasizing that the SIR is a transparent and essential process. He explained that the revision involves:
- Doorstep verification to ensure accuracy.
- Structured appeal mechanisms for citizens.
- Removal of deceased and migrated voters from the rolls.
- Protection of eligible citizens' rights to remain enrolled.
Patel argued that maintaining democratic integrity requires consistency and a commitment to facts, rather than what he described as the "opportunistic politicisation" of a vital electoral procedure.
Opposition Strikes Back: Claims of Democratic Attack
The political friction extends beyond Gujarat. In Thiruvananthapuram, CPI Kerala State Secretary Binoy Viswam defended the Opposition's "Mission to Restore Democracy" and the proposed "INDIA Plus" group. Viswam leveled heavy accusations against the BJP-led government and the RSS, claiming they are actively undermining democratic institutions.
"There is no reason to think twice about that because the RSS and the BJP have no faith in democracy and no trust in the power of the people," Viswam remarked, asserting that the struggle to protect voting rights would continue unabated.
Support for Rahul Gandhi and Student Protests
The political discourse also touched upon the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. In Kolkata, West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar lauded Gandhi, describing him as a steadfast leader who stands with the marginalized, the downtrodden, and the student community. Sarkar warned that officials involved in any wrongdoing would eventually face constitutional accountability.
Meanwhile, in Delhi, Congress MP Jebi Mather provided an update on a developing situation involving student protesters. Mather stated that party representatives had met with the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police regarding a complaint filed at the Parliament Street Police Station.
According to Mather, the police have requested 24 hours to review CCTV footage before deciding on the filing of an FIR. She warned that if no action is taken, the NSUI has already signaled that massive protests will follow, noting that Rahul Gandhi continues to support the youth in their struggle.