Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakare on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led government and the Election Commission over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the exercise was being used to undermine the democratic rights of citizens.
“The BJP has won the last five elections, but it cannot assume that it has won the right to decide who should vote and who should not. The Election Commission is a constitutional institution, not an extension of the BJP government. If the voter is removed, democracy is removed. If the Election Commission becomes silent before the ruling party, the Constitution itself is put at risk,” Thakare said.
He alleged that the BJP was afraid of facing voters and was attempting to create confusion around electoral rolls.
“The BJP should fight elections with votes, not with deletions. The CEC must answer the people of India, not the ruling party. We will not allow the voter’s right to be taken away through bureaucratic manipulation. Congress will fight this battle from the streets to the courts to protect every eligible voter,” Thakare said.
The Goa Pradesh Youth Congress staged a protest at Azad Maidan against the BJP-led government and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation over the ongoing SIR exercise.
Youth Congress president Archit Shantaram Naik alleged that Gyanesh Kumar had become a “puppet of Modi” and warned that democracy was in danger.
Aldona MLA Adv. Carlos Alvares Ferreira questioned the rationale and transparency of the SIR exercise and alleged that the BJP was attempting to use electoral-roll revision as a political strategy ahead of the elections.
Ferreira also raised concerns over the 13.39 crore electors categorised under ASDD during the draft-stage SIR exercise and questioned the transparency, accountability and independence of the Election Commission.
Youth Congress working president Sunil Kavthankar said the protest at Azad Maidan was a fight to protect the fundamental democratic right to vote.
“This is not merely a fight over a voter list. It is a fight over who gets to participate in our democracy. Every eligible citizen has a constitutional right to vote, and no institution can be allowed to compromise that right without transparency and accountability,” Kavthankar said.
South Goa MP Capt. Viriato Fernandes termed the day a “black day for democracy” and extended his support to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the nationwide campaign against the SIR exercise.
Congress leaders demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and urged the Election Commission to immediately ensure that no eligible voter is excluded from the electoral rolls.
They warned that the Congress would intensify its democratic struggle until complete transparency is ensured in the SIR process and every genuine voter is protected.
