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Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Nov 5: “You, the BJP, are attempting to undermine democracy. Whom are you now asking to save democracy?” questioned District Congress Committee president Padmaraj R Poojary.

He was speaking at a protest organised by the District Congress Committee near the Clock Tower here on Thursday as part of the nationwide 'Vote Bachao – Desh Bachao' people's movement launched by the All India Congress Committee (AICC).

He said the Congress would take to the streets to fight for the protection of the rights of every citizen of the country. “Our struggle has reached every household, and even our children are aware of it. The Congress is committed to protecting democracy. If the BJP has any respect for democracy, it should immediately withdraw the Special Intensive Revision (SIR),” he said.

Referring to the electoral rolls, Poojary said records indicated that 99 lac voters in Karnataka and 13 crore across the country had been excluded from the draft electoral rolls. He challenged the BJP to provide details of how many people from Bangladesh and Pakistan had actually been identified during the revision of electoral rolls.

“The conspiracy being carried out by the BJP must be brought to the attention of every household. Our party is committed to protecting the rights of the poor. We will intensify the struggle at every taluk and village level and take the message to every household,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, MESCOM chairman Harish Kumar said the Constitution had granted every adult citizen of the country the right to vote. However, he alleged that the Union government was attempting to deprive poor people and those opposed to the BJP of this fundamental right.

He alleged that chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was colluding with the Union government and facilitating vote theft. He claimed that the alleged conspiracy had resulted in the formation of NDA governments in certain states.

With Karnataka scheduled to go to the polls in another two years, he alleged that eligible voters were being removed from the electoral rolls in the name of SIR as part of an attempt at vote theft.

He urged party workers to remain vigilant and verify the electoral rolls at every polling booth. They should check whose names had been included or excluded and ensure that eligible voters were enrolled in the electoral rolls by submitting Form 6, he said.

Congress leaders Ramanath Rai, Naveen D'Souza, Mamatha Gatti, Vinayraj and Appi were present.