Davanagere
AICC Secretary Mayura Jayakumar accused the BJP of attempting to undermine India’s democracy and the electoral system established by freedom fighters under Mahatma Gandhi for the nation’s development.
Speaking at the launch of the Vote Chori signature collection campaign organized by the Congress at Jayadeva Circle on Sunday, Jayakumar said that even before 1947, freedom fighters recognized that a democratic system was suitable for India and had empowered the Election Commission to conduct impartial elections. He claimed that while the Congress was in power at the Centre, the constitutional autonomy of the Commission remained intact, but after the BJP assumed power, the body has been brought under its influence.
Jayakumar alleged that the BJP is coming to power through vote manipulation, pointing to evidence of false names in voter lists and instances where a single voter cast votes in multiple constituencies. “If the Election Commission is acting transparently and honestly, why the hesitation to release the video records?” he questioned.
MLA Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathana, MLC DT Srinivas, Karnataka Biodiversity Board Chairman Vadnal Jagadish, Maratha Communities Development Corporation Chairman Marioji Rao, Davangere-Harihar Urban Development Authority Chairman Dinesh K Shetty, former MLA S Ramappa, and KPCC General Secretary D Basavaraj were present.
MP Dr Prabha Mallikarjun criticized the Commission for failing to act impartially, stating that it has strayed from its constitutional duty to safeguard voting rights and strengthen democracy, alleging it has effectively become a puppet of the BJP, undermining the ideals of democracy.
