DMK and alliance parties protest against ECI in Ramanathapuram

/SIVAGANGA

Ramanathapuram district DMK along with alliance parties staged a demonstration here on Tuesday condemning the Election Commission of India (ECI) for carrying out Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Tamil Nadu despite mounting opposition from various political parties and public.

The protest led by DMK district secretary and MLA Kathar Batcha Muthuramalingam witnessed participation of MP Navas Kani, MLAs Murugesan, Karumanickam, former ministers Sathiyamoorthy, Sundararajn and Anwar Raja, representatives of Congress, MDMK, CPI(M), CPI, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and Makkal Needi Maiam.

Former Minister Anwar Raja addressing the gathering, stated: “Only if we have the right to vote can we vote. That is why the Election Commission is trying to remove our party’s votes. Therefore, party cadres must be careful. They are asking various questions in the SIR application. Many voters will not be able to answer them. Hence, party cadres should get a copy of the voters list and monitor whether the revision of voters has been carried out correctly.”

Hundreds of members from the DMK and its alliance parties who participated in the protest raised slogans against ECI and BJP for targeting States where they could not have a presence yet.

“By removing the voters who have traditionally voted for the States they have planned to make a mark in the States,” they added.

Similarly, DMK and alliance parties headed by former minister Thennavan staged a protest against ECI and SIR in Sivaganga district.

MLAs A. Tamilarasi, S. Mangudi, and other party representatives were also present during the protest.