Congress to hold ‘vote theft’ awareness conference in Tirunelveli on September 7

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee will organise a “Vote Chori” (vote theft) awareness conference in Tirunelveli on September 7. It will explain to the electorate the “sinister designs” of the Election Commission to deny voters their democratic rights while enrolling thousands of fake voters in the electoral roll of every Assembly constituency, TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai told journalists on Monday after visiting the conference venue at Palayamkottai. Senior leaders from the State and New Delhi will participate.

The campaign, being organised by party leader Rahul Gandhi in Bihar was getting “unimaginable support” from the public, he said.

On the posting of G. Venkatraman as Director-General of Police (in-charge), Mr. Selvaperunthagai said during the erstwhile AIADMK regime, IPS officers K. Ramanujam and T.K. Rajendran had been posted as ‘in-charge’ DGPs. In Uttar Pradesh, such postings were made on five occasions. “However, it is time for introspection and the TNCC is for the appointment of DGP on a permanent basis,” he added.

On AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s demand for a White Paper on investments attracted by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin through his foreign trips, he wanted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do this on his trips abroad.

Asked about possible electoral ties between the Congress and actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, he said the INDIA bloc was strong in Tamil Nadu to win successively five elections. “So, there is no chance for this realignment,” he said.

Mr. Selvaperunthagai supported the ongoing indefinite fast by party MP Sasikanth Senthil for the release of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan funds from the Centre. “Though it is a struggle for saving democracy, his health is important for us,” he said.

About Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman’s charge that late TMC leader G.K. Moopanar’s chances of becoming the Prime Minister were thwarted by a political leader from Tamil Nadu, Mr. Selvaperunthagai said Moopanar had adamantly refused to support the BJP at any cost. “His soul would never pardon the BJP and its allies,” he said.

Tirunelveli MP C. Robert Bruce, Nanguneri MLA Ruby R. Manoharan and Srivaikundam MLA Oorvasi S. Amirtharaj were present.