Congress Slams BJP Over Electoral Officials' Deaths Amid SIR Phase II, Demands Action

Image Source: Internet

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the deaths of several Booth Level Officers (BLOs) who were allegedly driven to suicide during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. The controversy began after a BLO in Kerala's Kannur district died by suicide, followed by a similar incident in West Bengal. According to a media report shared by Kharge, 16 BLOs have died in six states, including four each in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, three in West Bengal, two in Rajasthan, and one each in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Kharge accused the BJP of 'vote theft' and compared the SIR exercise to the demonetization and COVID lockdown times, terming it a 'forced implementation' without any planning. He questioned the Election Commission for their silence on the deaths of the BLOs and demanded justice for the families of the deceased. The Congress chief also appealed to the masses to raise their voice against the SIR exercise, which is currently underway in 12 States and Union Territories. He termed the alleged suicides as a consequence of the BJP's 'hunger for power' and warned that if the people remain silent, democracy will collapse. Governor CV Ananda Bose of West Bengal has promised to examine the death of a BLO in detail, saying that a knee-jerk reaction should be avoided. However, Kharge's demands for action have sparked a political row, with the Congress party planning to take on the Centre over the SIR and 'vote theft' in Parliament. The Congress has accused the BJP of abusing power to force institutions into suicides, tearing the Constitution to shreds, and weakening democracy. The party has called for a united opposition to take on the Centre over the SIR and 'vote theft' and to ensure free and fair elections in the country.