Cuncolim: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday alleged that the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner was part of the BJP’s new strategy to win elections by targeting voters opposed to the ruling party.
Addressing Goy Rakhon Yatra of Congress party in South Goa, Reddy alleged that the BJP was attempting to manipulate electoral outcomes by removing the votes of poor people, Dalits, tribals, minorities and educated youth who oppose it.
He claimed that the BJP had earlier relied on central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to win elections, but was now using the Election Commission as a new instrument.
“The BJP earlier used central agencies to win elections. Now, it is using a new method, with Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission of India as its new basis,” Reddy alleged.
He accused the BJP of trying to divide voters into two categories — the wealthy and influential on one side, and the poor, Dalits, tribals and minorities on the other — to secure electoral victories.
Reddy alleged that the BJP intended to replicate this strategy in Goa and accused it of attempting to disenfranchise voters opposed to the party.
The Telangana chief minister said the Congress was working to unite people and strengthen its organisational structure by involving the Youth Congress, National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Mahila Congress and Seva Dal in election-related activities.
He said he had visited Goa to extend support to the Congress and would convey to Rahul Gandhi that the people of Goa were prepared to stand firmly with him in the fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Reddy said the Congress was committed to challenging the BJP politically and defeating it in the country.
The allegations come amid continuing political disputes over the functioning of the Election Commission and the conduct of elections in India.
AICC Goa desk incharge Manikrao Thakare, Coincharge Anjali Nimbalkar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, MLA Altone D’Costa, Goa Pradesh Congress committee President Girish Chodankar, Working President Sunil Kawthankar and others were present on the occasion.
