New Delhi [India], October 6 (ANI): Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the ongoing voter roll controversy, asserting that the Chief Justice of India (CJI) had explicitly clarified in open court that the Supreme Court did not approve any modifications to Form 6.
His remarks came as the opposition INDIA bloc hit the streets of the national capital as their protest march of “Save Democracy” towards the Election Commission began.
Speaking to reporters, Chidambaram dismissed the ruling party's defence of the Election Commission, stating that the apex court's remarks on the matter were already a matter of public record.
"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 said that once and that is being broadcast several times. He said it in open court. There are several lawyers who listened to that statement," Chidambaram said.
Questioning the ruling party's claims, the former Union Minister asked, "How can the BJP blatantly deny that the CJI did not say that? He said it clearly."
Explaining the legal character of the revised paperwork, Chidambaram added, "I have seen the declaration, and it is indeed a modification of Form 6. It is an addition to Form 6, and an addition also means modification."
Speaking to ANI, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha MP Manas Mangaraj stated that though his party has joined the opposition march, it still remains independent and is not part of the INDIA alliance.
"Our primary demand is the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar... Today, acting as a responsible regional opposition party and following the directives of our leader, Naveen Patnaik, we are participating in this protest rally. I want to state clearly that we are not part of the 'INDIA' alliance; however, we are in the opposition, and we are joining this protest in that capacity," Mangaraj said.
Levelling serious charges regarding the voter roll revision in Odisha, the BJD lawmaker alleged that over 20 lakh names were struck off during the exercise.
"During the SIR process conducted across the country, and specifically in Odisha, the names of over 20 lakh voters were deleted. I believe this was done quite deliberately... While the SIR process was underway in Odisha, several of our delegations repeatedly met with the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha. We urged him to rectify the irregularities that were occurring, but none of our appeals or representations was heeded. Ultimately, the names of more than 20 lakh voters were struck off the rolls," Mangaraj said.
Echoing the call for the CEC's removal, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain demanded a high-level inquiry into the entire revision exercise.
"The main demands here are clear—Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar must go; he must resign. The SIR must be scrapped. All the voters who have been kept out of the SIR or deleted must be put back on the voters' list. There should be a high-level inquiry to expose who is behind this, who wants to remain in power by stealing votes, and who has been directing the Chief Election Commissioner," Hussain told ANI.
Joining the multi-party demonstration, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav also questioned the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) standing to defend the poll watchdog.
"How can the BJP talk about the Constitution when they suspend 150 MPs and pass many laws? Who is the BJP to issue clarifications on behalf of the Election Commission of India?" Yadav asked.
The march comes amid the Opposition's sustained campaign against alleged discrepancies in electoral rolls and its demand for greater transparency from the poll panel.
Ahead of the march, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) DIG Sanjay Kumar Sain, along with Parliament security staff, took stock of security outside the Parliament premises. (ANI)
"Addition means modification": P Chidambaram cites CJI's open court remarks on Form 6, attacks BJP
