Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay stated on Sunday that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) would undermine ‘the fundamental democratic rights of the people’, maktoobmedia.com reported.
Pointing out that the matter is currently pending before the Supreme Court, he questioned the Election Commission’s decision to carry out the second phase ‘without offering any clear explanation about the first phase’.
Vijay said that when the revision was announced in Bihar his party had warned about its ‘hidden intent’, adding that lakhs of voters got deleted from the list with opposition parties claiming that ‘religious minorities and certain sections of society were deliberately targeted’.
Questioning the feasibility of the revision he asked how details of 6.36 crore voters in Tamil Nadu could be verified within just 30 days, warning that there is a ‘possibility that minority and marginalised communities could be targeted in Tamil Nadu too.’
Vijay urged the Election Commission to go ahead with existing correction procedures rather than going for ‘confusing and unnecessary special revision’.
Taking dig at the ruling DMK, TVK leader accused Stalin’s party of attempting to ‘use the revision for electoral gains’ and asked all opposition parties to ‘unite in defence of people’s democratic rights’.
Vijay, referencing Kerala Assembly’s resolution opposing the SIR, asked why the DMK did not pass similar resolution nevertheless opposing the revision.
He added: ‘When we first raised our voice against this issue, DMK was silent. Now, it pretends to be the sole protector of democracy, but the people are not fooled by this political drama.’
Vijay asserted that his party would uncompromisingly oppose any move by the BJP-led Union government or anyone else against ‘democracy and people’s rights’.
TVK announced state-wide campaigns and awareness meetings to educate people about the implications of SIR.