The Congress Working Committee held a meeting of the party’s top policy-making body. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi attended.
Several senior leaders also joined the meeting. Bhupesh Baghel, KC Venugopal, Mukul Wasnik, Ambika Soni and Kumari Selja attended as CWC members.
Additionally, chief ministers from Congress-ruled states also participated in the meeting. The discussion focused on SIR and voter list issues.
Kharge Raises Allegations Over SIR And Voter Lists
During the CWC meeting, Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Election Commission over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and voter lists.
Kharge alleged that the Modi government was weakening democratic foundations. He claimed voter names were being removed through a conspiracy.
Furthermore, he accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of becoming a “puppet” of the Modi government.
Kharge said his ancestors built a strong democratic system through sacrifice. However, he alleged the government weakened this foundation during the last 12 years.
Kharge Questions Removal Of Eligible Voters
The Congress president referred to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s views on voting rights. He said eligible citizens should not lose voting rights.
According to Kharge, officials’ personal choices or local administration bias should not remove names from voter lists.
He added that the Constitution made the Election Commission the “watchdog” of public votes. However, he said the institution now faces questions.
Congress Raises Questions Over Election Commission
Kharge claimed two election commissioners questioned the Chief Election Commissioner’s working style. Therefore, he asked how citizens could trust such leadership.
He said doubts naturally arise when colleagues question the Chief Election Commissioner. Kharge raised this concern during the CWC discussion.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission stated that SIR-related orders received approval from all three election commissioners.
The Commission also said the original Form-6 was not changed. Instead, authorities added an additional declaration provision under SIR.
