AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal has asserted that the ongoing Congress-led agitation against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar will continue unabated until his removal from office. Speaking to reporters in Alappuzha on Sunday, November 8, Mr. Venugopal emphasized that the party remains committed to its demand, seeking to ensure that India's electoral processes are rendered flawless, impartial, and transparent. He underscored that the struggle is not one the party intends to abandon midway, noting that protests are currently active across various states and districts, with only a temporary pause anticipated for the Deepavali festival.
Mr. Venugopal highlighted the November 1 rally held in New Delhi as one of the most significant demonstrations recently witnessed in the country. He characterized the party’s movement as a direct challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. According to the AICC leader, the concerns raised by a former Chief Secretary regarding the CEC are extremely serious and form the backbone of the party's current stance. He argued that the deletion of names from electoral rolls disproportionately affects the poor, potentially depriving them of both their fundamental voting rights and access to government benefits, which he claimed are increasingly tied to voter identity documentation.
In response to these systemic concerns, the Congress party is set to launch a nationwide initiative titled 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao'—or 'Save the Vote, Save the Nation'—which will be implemented at the panchayat level over the next six weeks. A key component of this campaign involves the appointment of a 'Vote Rakshak' (guardian) at every individual polling booth. These volunteers will be tasked with scrutinizing electoral rolls, identifying citizens whose names have been improperly removed, and conducting home visits to provide the necessary support for restoring their names to the voter lists.
The agitation is expected to extend beyond street protests into the legislative arena. Mr. Venugopal indicated that the issue would be raised prominently during the upcoming session of Parliament, with the Opposition planning to confront the government on recent controversies and public grievances. He referenced the previous Parliament session, asserting that the intensity of the Opposition's protests had previously disrupted the attendance of senior cabinet members like Amit Shah for nearly a fortnight.
Beyond the national electoral issues, Mr. Venugopal addressed inquiries regarding the administrative situation in Kerala. He maintained that the state possesses a capable government and is equipped to manage its internal affairs effectively. While acknowledging that administrative shortcomings and isolated incidents are inevitable in governance, he noted that the state administration is committed to taking appropriate corrective action where required.
Regarding allegations involving state Excise Minister M. Liju and local business owners, Mr. Venugopal defended the government's approach, stating that public representatives naturally maintain contact with various constituents, including members of the business community. He further remarked that while a former Excise Commissioner, Seeram Sambasiva Rao, had raised concerns, such grievances should ideally have been addressed while he was still in active service. Nevertheless, he confirmed that the government has agreed to examine the complaint thoroughly and pursue necessary follow-up actions to address any underlying corruption claims.
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