The Aryavarth Express
New Delhi: Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Sunday strongly refuted allegations made in Parliament that the Congress had not submitted suggestions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on electoral reforms, calling the claims “completely false.”
Dismissing the charges, Ramesh said the party had repeatedly sought meetings with the Election Commission but was not given an opportunity. “Allegations were levelled in Parliament that the Congress party has not given any suggestions to the Election Commission regarding electoral reforms. This is completely false. We have repeatedly requested time but were not given it. Rahul Gandhi has held three press conferences on the issue,” he said.
He added that the Congress was accused in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha and is now preparing a detailed document on electoral reforms, which will soon be submitted to the Election Commission. Ramesh expressed hope that the ECI would engage with the party and hold discussions on its proposals.
Referring to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Ramesh said there is consensus that voter lists must be cleaned and that only Indian citizens should be allowed to vote. However, he questioned the government’s handling of the issue. “The Home Minister should inform the country about the SIR conducted in Bihar. How many infiltrators were removed?” he asked.
Ramesh also alleged that the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi aim to alter the Constitution, linking it to the BJP’s 2024 election slogan, “Abki Baar 400 Paar.” He claimed the slogan reflected an intention to secure numbers to amend the Constitution.
Meanwhile, Ramesh announced that the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for December 27 will finalise an action plan for a nationwide movement against the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G-RAM-G) Bill, recently passed by Parliament.
Criticising the new legislation, he said it has fundamentally altered the character of the MGNREGA scheme and reduced employment opportunities for rural, deprived and exploited sections. “The basic structure of MGNREGA has been changed, and the employment that was being provided to rural and vulnerable communities has been taken away,” he said.
The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill was passed during the recently concluded winter session of Parliament, with the Rajya Sabha approving it shortly after it cleared the Lok Sabha. The Bill increases guaranteed wage employment per rural household to 125 days from the existing 100 days for adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual work.
