Jaipur. The State Congress Committee on Monday protested against the Election Commission over the issue of alleged ‘vote theft’ and Special Intensive Revision of Voter List or SIR. A large number of Congress workers reached the Martyr Memorial in Jaipur with placards and party flags in their hands and raised slogans. After the demonstration, Congress announced a foot march to the Election Commission office.
Many party leaders and a large number of workers including former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Rajasthan in-charge Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa, State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasara, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Tikaram Julie, former minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas and a large number of workers participated in the demonstration. In view of the demonstration, additional police force was deployed around the Martyr Memorial. Barricading was done and traffic was also diverted from the affected routes.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot made serious allegations during the protest regarding the election process and delimitation. He said that efforts are being made to weaken democracy in the country.
Raising the issue of delimitation in Assam, Gehlot alleged that attempts are being made to create irregularities in the upcoming delimitation of Assembly and Lok Sabha. He called upon Congress workers to raise this issue among the people and spread awareness about the democratic system.
Gehlot also raised questions on the recent clarification of the Election Commission regarding SIR. He said that instead of the regular voter list revision process, questions have been raised in the SIR regarding the names of old voters and their eligibility. These are the allegations of Gehlot and Congress, whereas the Election Commission has put forward a different stand regarding the SIR. Congress has made it a politically serious issue by raising objections to the process of the commission.
State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasara made sharp remarks on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the SIR process. He alleged that there were irregularities in the SIR and Congress will also launch a mass movement on this issue. During the demonstration, Dotasara also called upon the workers to be alert regarding the upcoming Panchayat elections.
Dotasara also made allegations regarding the role of police and administration during the civic elections. He claimed that Congress leaders and workers had complained to the authorities during the elections, but expected action was not taken on their remarks.