Dimapur District Congress Committee, led by NPCC Working President C Apok Jamir, burning an image on October 3 in Dimapur, as a part of the country-wide ‘Protest March to Save Democracy’ agitation by the opposition INDIA bloc. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 3
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) Working President C Apok Jamir has termed the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls and the resultant alleged disenfranchisement of over 13 crore electors the “biggest extortion and theft” in the country's history.
Jamir made the statement during a protest march organised by the Dimapur District Congress Committee (DDCC) in Dimapur on October 3. The demonstration was part of the country-wide ‘Protest March to Save Democracy’ series of agitation launched by the opposition INDIA bloc, which began on October 2, against the Election Commission of India and the alleged voter roll manipulation in favour of the ruling BJP.
Demanding the immediate resignation of Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Jamir alleged that names were struck off the registers disenfranchising “thousands and thousands” of citizens. He called the exercise a direct infringement on the Constitution and democratic rights, stating that the Congress party took to the streets to demand justice and bring constitutional rights back to the fore.
When asked what steps the party would take if Kumar refused to step down, Jamir said that if the Chief Election Commissioner’s conscience admitted to having committed a crime against the people, he should resign immediately.
Commenting on the recent defection, en masse, by the National People's Party (NPP) legislators to join the Neiphiu Rio-led NPF, Jamir termed the move outright “poaching” by the NPF.
He said that the five formerly NPP legislators had defected due to enticements, adding that the electorate would deliver an answer to this during the elections. The NPP had won five seats in the 2023 Assembly elections.
Recently, at a press conference, BJP Nagaland unit President Benjamin Yepthomi had accused the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of selective posturing and was told to refrain from making unfounded allegations.
Responding to this, Jamir said the “Vote Chori” claim by the Congress was backed by facts and figures in the possession of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). While stating that evidence will be produced when required, he added that the deprivation of voting rights damages the common citizens.
