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Rahul Gandhi Accuses Modi, Shah, Election Chief of ‘Treason’
Rahul Gandhi says voter names may have been wrongly removed in Belagavi, Karnataka.
He says about 15,000 people were targeted in just three days.
He claims many of the people were Muslims, Dalits, tribal people or members of other backward communities.
The alleged removals were requested using Form 7 applications.
Gandhi says this could help the BJP by changing who can vote.
He blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
He wants Kumar to resign and wants an investigation.
The Election Commission says its decisions follow the law and that officials can disagree while discussing them.
Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of “destroying democracy” through the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
Gandhi alleged that nearly 15,000 voter names in Belagavi, Karnataka, were targeted for deletion through Form 7 applications filed between September 22 and 24.
He claimed Muslims, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes were disproportionately targeted because many allegedly vote against the BJP.
Gandhi called for Gyanesh Kumar to resign and become an “approver,” and demanded an investigation into Modi and Shah.
The Election Commission said differing views during deliberations are normal and that its SIR orders have full legal sanction and follow established procedures.
- Who
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar; the Election Commission rejected concerns about the legality of its process.
- What
- Gandhi alleged that voter-deletion applications were being filed in bulk during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and called the alleged activity “treason.”
- Where
- The alleged voter deletions were reported in Belagavi, Karnataka; Gandhi also referred to actions by opposition parties and election officials in New Delhi and Karnataka.
- When
- The alleged Form 7 applications were submitted between September 22 and 24; Gandhi made the remarks on October 1, according to the report.
- Why
- Gandhi said the alleged deletions targeted communities he believed largely vote against the BJP and demanded accountability and an investigation.
Opposition allegations
Election Commission response
Alleged voter-list manipulation
Opposition allegations
Rahul Gandhi alleged that Form 7 applications were submitted in bulk to remove the names of Muslims, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, and said the process was controlled from the top.
Election Commission response
The Election Commission said its orders have full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures; the report does not include a specific response to each of Gandhi’s Belagavi allegations.
Internal objections within the commission
Opposition allegations
The opposition cited a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had objected at least 14 times to SIR decisions and orders issued without their knowledge or recommendation.
Election Commission response
The Election Commission said differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations in any institution.
Political and legal response
Opposition allegations
The INDIA bloc announced marches and rallies, sought Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, demanded ballot-paper voting in future elections and appealed for faster Supreme Court consideration of SIR-related cases.
Election Commission response
The Election Commission maintained that the SIR orders were legally valid and procedurally established.
Key facts
- Location of allegation
- Belagavi, Karnataka
- Alleged voter target
- Nearly 15,000 names
- Application type
- Form 7 applications seeking voter-name deletion
- Alleged dates
- September 22, 23 and 24
- Revision process
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
- Gandhi’s demand
- Gyanesh Kumar should resign and become an “approver”
- Election Commission response
- Its orders have full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures
Quotes
Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition
“In this way, Modi, Shah, and Gyanesh are collectively destroying democracy through the SIR. This is treason. That’s why I’m saying Gyanesh Kumar should resign and become an approver, and there should be an investigation against Modi and Shah.”
theprint.in
“And who was targeted? Muslims, SC, ST, and OBC. Because most of these people vote against the BJP.”
theprint.in
Sources
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