Questioning SIR exposes Congress' double standards: Rajasthan BJP chief Rathore

New Delhi/Jaipur, Jan 19 (IANS) Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Madan Rathore, while addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Monday, reacted to the statements made by the State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. 

Rathore said that spreading rumours, making baseless allegations, and creating confusion among the people has become Dotasra's political habit. 

He added that fabricating stories without facts or evidence is now an integral part of Congress' politics.

Clarifying the issue of the SSR of electoral rolls, Rathore said that the process is neither new nor unprecedented. 

He added that SSR was conducted during Congress governments in 1992, 2002, 2003, and 2004 across the country. 

Questioning the same SSR process today, Rathore said, clearly reflects the Congress' double standards.

The State BJP President said that the sole objective of the SSR is to ensure that every eligible citizen is included in the voter list while removing the names of ineligible persons. 

"There is no discrimination on the basis of caste, religion, class, or community." 

"The Election Commission carries out this work in a transparent and impartial manner, with the aim of strengthening democracy, not benefitting or harming any political party," he added. 

He asked why Congress objects to the removal of names of deceased persons, duplicate voters, or those who are not citizens of the country.

The State BJP President also alleged that Congress leaders are unnecessarily dragging the names of senior BJP leaders, including the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the party's National General Secretary Arun Singh into the SIR issue. 

He said these allegations are completely false and fabricated, as the leaders concerned have neither made any statements nor held discussions on the SIR. 

Rathore added that Congress, having no concrete issues or positive agenda, is resorting to misinformation due to political frustration. 

He reiterated that the BJP has full faith in the Constitution and all constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, and appealed to the public to remain alert to Congress' misleading propaganda. 

Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa also condemned Dotasra's statements, saying that the entire SIR process is governed by law.

"Every citizen has the right to file objections, and each objection will be examined thoroughly under the prescribed legal framework."

He added that Congress has a history of questioning systems created during its own rule, whether EVMs or electoral revision processes.

Deputy CM Bairwa said that if Congress wishes to debate these issues, it should come to the State Assembly instead of avoiding the House. 

He accused Congress leader Dotasra of misleading the people and said the state government is fully prepared to answer every question through democratic dialogue.

--IANS

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