New Delhi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission during an INDIA bloc programme in Delhi, alleging that the poll body is merely a pawn and that its remote control lies in someone else’s hands. He asserted that everyone involved in the alleged irregularities would be held accountable and would not be spared.
Hemant Soren said he had attended the INDIA bloc programme, where representatives of various political parties and citizens raised concerns about the difficulties faced by ordinary people during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and issues related to the protection of voting rights.
Speaking about the impact of SIR in Jharkhand, the Chief Minister said the state was also witnessing its effects. He claimed that several irregularities had been detected and said his government was keeping a close watch on the entire process.
He further stated that people across different states were facing various problems due to SIR, which had brought opposition parties together to raise their concerns collectively.
JMM Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji also participated in the mock Parliament programme. She has previously taken part in several opposition-led programmes against the Election Commission. Meanwhile, several senior leaders, ministers and MLAs of the Jharkhand Congress have also reached Delhi to participate in the rally.
Ahead of Sunday’s proposed rally, a march is scheduled to be held from Connaught Place to Ramlila Maidan at 12 noon. The Congress has claimed that the rally will be among the largest political gatherings ever organised in the country.
Through the rally, opposition parties are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The opposition alleges that irregularities in voter lists are undermining the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, MLA Kalpana Soren, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and leaders from 21 INDIA bloc parties are expected to participate in the rally.
