New Delhi [India], October 6 (ANI): P Chidambaram, a prominent leader of the Congress party and former Union Minister, criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding the voter rolls. He pointed out that the Chief Justice of India (CJI) had clearly stated in an open court that the Supreme Court did not endorse any changes to Form 6.
Chidambaram’s comments arose as the opposition coalition, INDIA, commenced a protest march in New Delhi titled ‘Save Democracy’, heading towards the Election Commission.
In a statement to the media, Chidambaram rejected the BJP’s defense of the Election Commission, emphasizing that the apex court’s statements on this issue are publicly accessible. He remarked, ‘The BJP obviously cannot read Hindi or English. The Supreme Court Chief Justice clearly said, ‘we have not approved any changes to Form 6.’ He repeated this, and it has been widely broadcasted. He made this declaration in open court, and numerous lawyers were present to hear it.’
Chidambaram further challenged the ruling party’s assertions, questioning, ‘How can the BJP so openly deny that the CJI did not say that? He stated it unequivocally.’
On the subject of the amended documentation, he elaborated, ‘I have reviewed the declaration, and it is indeed a modification of Form 6. An addition implies modification as well.’
During an interview with ANI, Manas Mangaraj, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), shared that while his party joined the opposition march, it remains independent and not part of the INDIA alliance. He asserted, ‘Our primary demand is the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar… We are participating in this protest rally as a responsible regional opposition party, following the guidance of our leader, Naveen Patnaik. I want to make it clear that we are not part of the ‘INDIA’ alliance; however, we stand in opposition and join this protest in that context.’
Mangaraj raised serious allegations about the voter roll updates in Odisha, claiming that over 20 lakh names were removed during the process. ‘During the SIR procedure conducted nationwide, particularly in Odisha, over 20 lakh voters’ names were deleted. I believe this was done intentionally… While the SIR process was ongoing in Odisha, our delegations consistently approached the Chief Electoral Officer, urging him to address the irregularities, but our requests went unacknowledged. Eventually, more than 20 lakh voters’ names were eliminated from the rolls,’ he stated.
In support of the call for the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain demanded an extensive inquiry into the entire revision process. ‘The main demands are clear – Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar must resign; the SIR must be abolished; all voters who were excluded or removed must be reinstated on the voters’ list; and there should be a high-level investigation to reveal those responsible for attempting to undermine the electoral process,’ Hussain told ANI.
Also joining the protest, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav questioned the BJP’s authority to defend the Election Commission. ‘How can the BJP discuss the Constitution when they suspend 150 MPs and enact numerous laws? Who is the BJP to issue statements on behalf of the Election Commission of India?’ Yadav inquired.
This march is part of the Opposition’s ongoing campaign against perceived irregularities in the electoral rolls and their call for increased transparency from the Election Commission.
Before the march, Sanjay Kumar Sain, DIG of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), along with Parliament security personnel, assessed security measures outside the Parliament.
