Manik Saha accuses INDIA bloc of targeting constitutional institutions

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha accused the INDIA bloc of targeting constitutional institutions. His remarks sharpened the political dispute over the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.

In Short

• Supreme Court recognised the Election Commission's authority, according to Saha
• BJP says revised rolls would remove dead and shifted voters
• Abhishek Debroy noted similar revision exercises occurred under Congress governments

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday accused the Congress-led INDIA bloc of repeatedly targeting constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission and the Supreme Court, to confuse people, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

Addressing a rally, Saha said the country was progressing under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, while the Congress and its allies were attacking constitutional bodies and opposing the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.

"It appears the INDIA bloc is searching for alternative ways to capture power after failing to win electoral battles. They have become active in weakening constitutional institutions so that people lose trust in these bodies," Saha said.

Backing the revision exercise, the chief minister said the Supreme Court had recognised the Election Commission's authority to conduct it to prepare error-free electoral rolls and ensure free and fair elections.

"But the INDIA bloc is reluctant to accept the Supreme Court's view on SIR. They are trying to create an anarchic situation like that in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal by launching agitations, which is not possible in the world's largest democracy," he said.

Saha said the BJP was committed to protecting democracy and the Constitution. He added that the party would reach out to people and highlight what he described as the INDIA bloc's role in weakening the country.

According to PTI, BJP state president Abhishek Debroy also criticised the INDIA bloc for allegedly campaigning against the electoral roll revision.

"The SIR was carried out 10 times during the Congress regime to make electoral rolls error-free. Now, they are demanding that the process be stopped to mislead people. Does the INDIA bloc want the names of dead and shifted voters to remain on electoral rolls to gain electoral mileage? They are targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar for carrying out the SIR to make the electoral rolls clean and error-free," Debroy said.

Referring to the INDIA bloc's 'Save Democracy rally' held on Friday, Debroy said the BJP was politically secure in Tripura until 2047, despite the CPI(M) and the Congress joining hands to stop the party.

Both Saha and Debroy backed the electoral roll revision and accused the INDIA bloc of undermining constitutional institutions, while the BJP said it would take the issue to the people.

- Ends