“Laying groundwork for future defeats”: Ram Kadam hits back at Opposition
BJP leader Ram Kadam accuses the Opposition of undermining voters and preparing excuses for future defeats amid the Election Commission SIR row.
BJP leader Ram Kadam launched a scathing attack on the Opposition on Saturday, accusing them of attempting to discredit the Election Commission of India (ECI) without providing any concrete evidence. The confrontation stems from the ongoing political controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Speaking to ANI, Kadam suggested that the Opposition's constant criticism of the poll body is a strategic move to create excuses for potential losses in upcoming elections. He argued that attacking the institution's credibility without proof is not just a political tactic but an affront to the democratic process.
Assault on Voter Mandate
Kadam emphasized that the Election Commission serves as the guardian of the democratic process and that questioning its integrity without substance is dangerous. He stated that such allegations undermine the very essence of democracy.
"If the credibility of the EC is attacked without proof, it amounts to an assault on the wisdom, rights, and mandate of crores of voters. If the opposition has any issues, facts, or evidence, they should present them," Kadam remarked.
The BJP leader further clarified that while political parties are entitled to voice their concerns, those concerns must be substantiated with hard facts. He accused the critics of "merely laying the groundwork to explain away their future defeats."
The Core of the SIR Controversy
The political heat has intensified following allegations from senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. Ramesh has raised serious concerns regarding the changes made to the voter registration process during the SIR exercise. He specifically pointed toward Form 6, the document used for registering new voters.
According to Ramesh, a new mandatory section has been introduced in Form 6. This section reportedly asks applicants to disclose whether their parents or grandparents were included in the previous SIR. The Congress leader has labeled this change as "blatantly illegal and unconstitutional," questioning the legal authority of the ECI to implement such modifications.
The controversy has been further fueled by reports suggesting internal dissent within the commission. It has been alleged that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections regarding the voter registration changes and the SIR process itself.
Government and ECI Response
The BJP has stood firmly by the Election Commission, rejecting all allegations of wrongdoing. The debate has reached the highest levels of government:
- Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal questioned the validity of the Opposition's claims.
- Union Minister Chirag Paswan called for the Election Commission to clearly present its position to ensure public confidence remains unshaken.
The Election Commission has responded to the allegations by maintaining that internal discussions, including technical notes and written queries, are standard operating procedures for a multi-member body. The ECI has asserted that all final decisions regarding the Special Intensive Revision were made unanimously and carry full legal sanction.