"Hatched plan to disenfranchise youth": Kharge attacks PM Modi over Form 6 rules
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accuses PM Modi of a conspiracy to disenfranchise youth by quietly altering Form 6 rules.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, accusing the central government of orchestrating a conspiracy to strip the youth of their voting rights. Speaking during a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in New Delhi, Kharge alleged that the administration has "quietly altered" the rules governing Form 6 to systematically disadvantage younger voters.
A Contrast in Leadership: Rajiv Gandhi vs. PM Modi
Kharge drew a sharp historical comparison between the current administration and the era of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He reminded the gathering that in December 1988, Rajiv Gandhi took a landmark step to empower the nation's youth by lowering the legal voting age from 21 to 18.
"And then there is Prime Minister Modi, who is so angry with GenZ that he has hatched a plan to systematically disenfranchise the youth," Kharge stated. He further characterized the recent changes to the Form 6 rules as "completely illegal."
Allegations of Fear and Disenfranchisement
The Congress leader suggested that the ruling BJP is driven by an underlying fear that the country's youth will eventually vote them out of power. According to Kharge, the government's inability to provide employment has now transitioned into an attempt to deny basic democratic rights.
- The Core Accusation: The government is accused of using rule changes to prevent young voters from participating in the democratic process.
- The Motivation: Kharge claims the BJP fears the questions and political power that the younger generation holds.
- The Defense: The Congress party asserted that the right to vote is a hard-won legacy, not a "charity," and will be defended against any perceived dictatorship.
"They failed to provide jobs, and now they do not even want to grant the right to vote," Kharge remarked, adding that the Congress party would stand firm against any attempt to destroy India's democratic system.
Defending the Election Commission's Credibility
Kharge also turned his attention to the Election Commission, suggesting that its credibility has been compromised due to its handling of voter data. He praised Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi for previously raising documented concerns regarding voter irregularities in regions such as Mahadevapura, Aland, Haryana, and Maharashtra.
He argued that if the Election Commission had taken serious note of evidence involving duplicate voters, doubtful addresses, and large numbers of people registered at single locations, it would not be facing such intense scrutiny today. Kharge specifically highlighted issues related to Form 6 entries as a primary concern.
Opposition to Plan a Joint Strategy
The Congress party has been vocal in its criticism of the Chief Election Commissioner, particularly following reports of internal divisions within the commission regarding the SIR process. To escalate their protest, the Congress and other opposition parties are scheduled to meet on Wednesday to formulate a unified strategy to challenge these developments.