cong leaders speaking at an event in city
Prayagraj : Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday targeted the govt over the caste census, social justice, voting rights and the strengthening of democracy, saying a caste census would reveal the true social, economic and educational status of all sections of society and help determine steps to bring them into the mainstream of development.
Addressing the topics of electoral rolls and voting rights, Baghel referred to the Congress party’s ‘Save the Vote, Save the Nation’ (Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao) rally, scheduled for Nov 1 at Delhi.
He said a caste census would clarify the current condition of each group and help determine the necessary steps to integrate them into the mainstream of development. He said, “In a democracy, right to vote is the most significant power held by the people and if the vote itself is not secure, security of the democracy cannot be guaranteed. He said that a system was prevailing in which govt, rather than the public, decides who gets to be a voter and that it should not exist.
Baghel was in Prayagraj as the chief guest at the Congress party ’s ‘Social Justice and Participation’ (Samajik Nyay aur Bhagidari) conference, held at the Sardar Patel Seva Sansthan in Alopibagh. UP Congress Committee chief Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ noted that the Congress party has long fought to secure the right to vote for all citizens. She emphasised that the voting rights granted to citizens under the Constitution should be viewed as a major achievement of democracy and stressed that it is everyone’s responsibility to protect this right. She urged that the allegations regarding the removal of names from the electoral rolls be taken seriously and underscored the need to ensure that every eligible citizen can participate in the democratic process. Moreover, she highlighted that the Congress party is contesting the elections in the state with strength as part of the ‘INDIA’ alliance. Expressing confidence in the party’s electoral preparations and political engagement, she stated that the impact of these efforts would soon be visible on the ground. National president of the Congress Backward cell, Anil Jaihind, alleged that the current govt is making every possible effort to trample upon the fundamental rights of Dalits, the exploited, the marginalised and minorities. He claimed that the people of UP were prepared to respond to this in the upcoming state assembly elections. The acting state president conducted a review meeting as part of an organisational session for the ‘Prayag Zone,’ held at the Shankarlal Memorial Hall. Prominent leaders including Mukund Tiwari, Haseeb Ahmed, Kishore Varshney and others were present.
Removal of names from the electoral rolls could infringe upon people’s right to vote, an issue that every section of society must work together to address, he said. Meanwhile, Congress state in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam alleged that names were being removed from the electoral rolls and asserted that in a democratic system, the public must have the right to choose a govt.