‘Modi is an Illegal PM’ : Kharge speaks on SIR irregularities—’Dissolve illegal governments and hold elections using ballot papers’

Rijiju questions Congress President, Is Rahul Gandhi an illegal MP ?

New Delhi : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday leveled serious allegations regarding vote theft and irregularities in the electoral process, stating that “illegal elections” are taking place in the country. Citing these allegedly “illegal” elections, he termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the country’s Chief Ministers as “illegal.” Kharge demanded the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies, calling for fresh elections to be conducted using ballot papers.

Speaking to reporters, Kharge said, “Today, the entire country is running on illegal elections. Modi is an illegal Prime Minister, Shah is an illegal Minister, and all the elected Chief Ministers are illegal. All of them should be dissolved. Elections should be held, and they should be conducted using ballot papers.” He alleged that EVMs are being misused—a point even BJP members themselves are acknowledging.

Kharge specifically raised questions regarding the ongoing SIR (voter list verification) process. He stated that there are numerous irregularities in it and that it is undermining democracy, noting that the government is making many errors in this process.

Kharge affirmed that the opposition would continue its nationwide agitation against the SIR and the misuse of the electoral process. Referring to the INDIA bloc meeting held on September 30, he mentioned that representatives from 20 parties and their legal cells had participated. There was a consensus that the SIR process is detrimental to the country and is adversely affecting the poor, the illiterate, laborers, and, in particular, minorities.

The Congress President questioned what kind of free and fair election it would be if 500 votes were removed from a single booth. He alleged that attempts are now being made to add names as well. Kharge stated that many individuals particularly members of the BJP and RSS are visiting wards, panchayats, and villages where they intend to have votes deleted, and are filling out forms there. He termed this practice completely wrong.

Attacking the BJP, he said, “The misuse you are engaging in is harming our youth, the poor, Dalits, and the marginalized sections.” He noted that while a wealthy person can somehow get their work done, a poor person has to leave their livelihood to visit officials for corrections or renewals to get their name added to the voter list.

Accusing Prime Minister Modi of dismantling democracy, Kharge referred to the 2023 law that grants the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners immunity from legal action regarding decisions made while in office. He pointed out that the selection committee previously comprised the Chief Justice, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Prime Minister, however, the 2023 law replaced the Chief Justice with a minister.

He alleged that this change was made to prevent a situation where the Chief Justice’s disagreement could obstruct the appointment of a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of their own choosing. Kharge stated that under the new law, even if the CEC or Election Commissioners commit an error, no investigation can be conducted against them “until their death.” He asserted that democracy is being destroyed in this manner.

On Sunday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju targeted Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his allegation regarding an “illegal PM.”

Rijiju accused Kharge of undermining the Constitution and questioned whether the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and the Chief Ministers of Congress-led state governments are also “illegal.” In a post on ‘X’, Rijiju said, “Are you an illegal MP, Kharge-ji ? Is Rahul Gandhi an illegal MP? Are the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Jharkhand illegal ? Stop insulting the Constitution of India.”

Report : Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)