‘Congress part of every conspiracy’: CM Yogi hits out at opposition amid ‘dissent within EC’ row | India News
NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath defended the Election Commission amid the “dissent within the poll body” row, while slamming the Congress party for “creating confusion and targeting constitutional institutions”.Tearing into the rival Congress for criticisng the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Uttar Pradesh CM said: “The current SIR exercise was not the first such revision undertaken by the Election Commission, pointing to similar exercises conducted in 1952, 1957, 1961, 1965–66 and 2003.”“Regarding the SIR (Special Intensive Revision), the confusion that has been consistently created by them (opposition parties), it is not as if the current Election Commission is the first to undertake such an exercise; in the past—often under Congress-led governments—similar exercises were conducted in 1952, 1957, 1961, 1965–66, and even in 2003. Despite this history, the uproar raised by the Congress, Samajwadi Party, RJD, and other parties over the current SIR exercise is extremely unfortunate.“He said the Election Commission had already clarified that eligible voters who were left out would be given an opportunity to submit the required form. He also referred to the Supreme Court’s position on the Election Commission’s action regarding Form 6.“All three Election Commissioners came before the press and clarified the situation. Regarding SIR, directions had already been issued that all eligible voters who were left out would be given an opportunity to fill the form. The Supreme Court has also upheld the Election Commission’s action regarding Form 6. Despite this, putting the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioners in the dock, questioning every constitutional institution and attempting to tarnish India’s image globally is extremely unfortunate. Congress and its allies should control their irresponsible actions. There should be no place for violence, vandalism or misinformation in a democracy.”Adityanath further accused the Congress and other opposition parties of undermining constitutional institutions and democratic values for political interests.“The approach of the Congress and opposition parties has always been to be a part of every conspiracy to harm the constitutional institutions of India and weaken the democratic values for their political interests, due to which the world’s largest democracy can be harmed. It is surprising that the current actions and rhetoric of the country’s main opposition party and other parties associated with the UPA alliance are extremely irresponsible and damaging to democratic values.“Adityanath also criticised the Congress over its objections to EVMs, noting that Congress governments had been formed at the Centre and in several states through elections conducted using the machines. He linked the criticism to what he described as a broader pattern of questioning democratic institutions.“The EVMs, through which Congress governments have also been formed at the Centre and in several states, have been called a black box, raising questions about India’s electoral system and the country’s democratic values. Recall that on June 25, 1975, Congress sinned by undermining the Constitution by imposing the Emergency. Congress-led governments also repeatedly dismissed elected governments of opposition parties through unconstitutional means. Their actions have repeatedly compromised the country’s internal and external security. Questioning the valour of the Indian armed forces during the Balakot airstrike and attempting to cast doubt on the bravery of Indian soldiers during Operation Sindoor are examples of this approach.”
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The remarks come amid a major political confrontation over reported objections raised by two Election Commissioners to decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have demanded action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an immediate halt to the SIR exercise and fresh elections in states where polls have already been held.The ruling BJP, however, defended the Election Commission, saying differences expressed by Election Commissioners during internal deliberations demonstrated that the poll panel was functioning democratically rather than under a “dictatorial” system
