SIR tweaks proof of ‘disaster’, says Congress

SIR row escalates: Jairam Ramesh calls EC press note ‘desperate damage control’

NEW DELHI: Congress Sunday continued with its protest against EC, saying the proposed measures related to special intensive revision of electoral rolls were an admission that the exercise had been a “disaster”. It added the “piecemeal measures” for deleted or at-risk voters would do little to mitigate “mass disenfranchisement”.Congress’s statement came amid mobilisation by the opposition to coordinate with INDIA bloc members and non-NDA parties as they prepare to further their protest. While top members of the alliance are expected to attend the INDIA bloc meeting on Sept 30, Congress sources said SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had told the party brass that Rajya Sabha nominations for 10 seats in UP were starting and so he would send senior party members.Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the party would hold district-level protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar Monday.Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said the press note issued by EC had been debunked and exposed for what it was – “a desperate attempt at damage control that hides all and reveals nothing”. What was the point of this SIR process that had turned into a “colossal waste” of public resources and nuisance for every citizen, he asked.

In another development, CPM general secretary M A Baby met AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal Sunday. “Kejriwal said there has to be a very powerful struggle exposing the manner in which EC has been working as a tool in the hands of the union,” Baby said.