New Delhi, 27 October (H.S.): Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that votes were being stolen at the highest levels and that the names of poor people were being deliberately deleted from electoral rolls. He asserted that the Opposition would continue its agitation until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigned.

Rahul Gandhi attended a public hearing titled “Right to Vote, Right to Live” in Block 20 of Trilokpuri, Delhi, where he listened to people’s grievances. He claimed that the hearing had brought to light the alleged illegal deletion of 416 voters’ names from four polling booths.

He said every adult citizen of India had the right to vote, but alleged that millions of people were being deprived of this fundamental democratic right. He further claimed that deleting the names of poor people from electoral rolls also deprived them of their rights and access to essential benefits and facilities.

Rahul Gandhi questioned Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of failing to respond to questions raised by the Opposition. He said opposition parties had been raising concerns over the issue for a considerable period and that people were increasingly recognising alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.

Rahul Gandhi reiterated that the Opposition would remain united and continue to raise its voice against what he described as injustice until Kumar resigned.

Opposition parties have repeatedly sought accountability from the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Congress has reportedly planned a symbolic impeachment-style process against the Chief Election Commissioner on October 30. A public rally is also scheduled to be held at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar