CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: New Delhi. Senior Congress leader and former Union finance minister P. Chidambaram has rejected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allegations that the opposition is trying to change the government through violent protests. Chidambaram said Congress has never supported violent demonstrations and believes in protesting through democratic and Gandhian methods.
In an interview to India Today, Chidambaram said Congress is a democratic party and adopts the route of peaceful demonstrations and building public opinion to express disagreement with government policies. He said the opposition’s role is to question government decisions and raise people’s issues.
BJP leaders have alleged that, under the cover of opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, the opposition is trying to destabilise the government. Rejecting the charge, Chidambaram said Congress is not in favour of changing power through violence. According to him, no separate effort is needed to destabilise the government, and the government will face public questions over its own functioning.
Chidambaram also raised questions over the Election Commission’s voter list revision process. Referring to the difference between SIR and the usual Summary Revision (SSR), he demanded clear information from the commission. According to him, the SIR process was adopted in some states, while normal revision is being carried out in others. He questioned the basis for adopting different procedures.
The Congress leader claimed that during SIR, a large number of voters’ names were removed from the lists. He also referred to petitions filed in the Supreme Court over the issue. These figures and allegations have been raised by the opposition; their confirmation and the determination of the legality of the process will depend on the relevant official records and judicial proceedings.
Chidambaram said Congress’s protest is not limited to voter lists but also includes the issue of protecting citizens’ fundamental rights. He referred to the rights to vote, speak, assemble and protest peacefully. According to him, criticising the government and demonstrating against policies are part of the opposition’s legitimate role in a democracy.
Amid the confrontation between the ruling side and the opposition over SIR, Chidambaram’s statement further intensifies the political debate. While the BJP is questioning the opposition’s intentions, Congress is describing the matter as one linked to transparency in the electoral process and citizens’ rights.
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