'If They Lose, They Blame EVM': CM Yogi Slams Opposition Over Anti-SIR Stir
CM Yogi Adityanath attacks the INDIA bloc for blaming EVMs and opposing the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls during a BJP march.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched a blistering attack on the Congress and the INDIA bloc, accusing them of posing a threat to democracy and systematically undermining the credibility of India's constitutional bodies. Speaking at the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’ (Save Democracy, Eliminate Anarchy) march in Gorakhpur, the Chief Minister highlighted a recurring pattern of the opposition questioning electoral integrity whenever they face defeat.
The 'EVM Excuse' and Democratic Threats
Addressing the participants of the padyatra, CM Yogi Adityanath pointed towards the recent unrest in Delhi, claiming that the actions of the Congress and its allies have created an atmosphere of chaos. He specifically targeted the opposition's tendency to challenge the results of elections.
"You must have recently observed the kind of chaos the Congress and its INDI alliance have created in Delhi, effectively becoming a threat to democracy itself. But if they lose, they blame the EVMs. This has become a recurring pattern for them," the Chief Minister asserted.
Defending the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
A major point of contention in the Chief Minister's speech was the opposition's agitation against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Yogi Adityanath dismissed these protests as politically motivated, arguing that the revision process is a standard procedure to ensure the purity of the voter list.
He reminded the audience that electoral roll revisions are not new and have been conducted periodically in the past, including during the tenures of the Congress party. The CM further alleged that the opposition is creating a national uproar to shield illegal entities.
According to the Chief Minister, the Election Commission's SIR exercise is essential to remove the names of:
- Bangladeshi infiltrators
- Pakistanis
- Deceased individuals
He demanded that the INDIA alliance apologize to the nation for stirring chaos to prevent the removal of these ineligible names from the rolls.
Accusations of 'Malicious Intent'
The Chief Minister expressed grave concern over the statements made by leaders of the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. He claimed that their objective is not to strengthen the democratic fabric of the country but to cast doubt on constitutional institutions in the eyes of the public.
"We will, under no circumstances, accept conspiracies designed to weaken the very constitutional institutions upon which India’s democracy rests," Adityanath stated firmly.
BJP Leaders Echo Sentiments
The sentiment was echoed by other senior BJP leaders present at the event. Uttar Pradesh Minister AK Sharma described the 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' march as the voice of the common citizen against forces that spread anarchy.
Meanwhile, UP BJP President Pankaj Chaudhary accused the opposition of manipulating the youth and misleading the public about how democratic mechanisms work. He referenced the protests in Delhi, stating that while peaceful protest is a right, some leaders had crossed the line by calling for a "regime change."
Chaudhary reassured the crowd that India's democratic roots are too deep to follow the paths of neighboring countries, stating that India cannot become like Bangladesh, Nepal, or Sri Lanka because it is firmly governed by democracy.
The event coincided with an organizational visit to Gorakhpur by BJP National President Nitin Nabin on November 4 and 5, further strengthening the party's push for the 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' campaign.