TVK’s victory, DMK’s defeat not solely due to vote theft: P. Chidambaram

Former Union Minister P. Chidambaram stated that it cannot be said that Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) lost solely due to vote theft in Tamil Nadu.

A protest was held by the Congress in Karaikudi, Sivaganga district, demanding the arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in connection with vote theft charge.

Speaking to reporters after the protest, Mr. Chidambaram said: “The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls took place in many States. In the first round, 65 lakh people, in the second round 6.50 crore people, and in the third round 6.10 crore people—totalling 13.30 crore people—have been removed from the lists. It is not known how so many crores of people were removed.

In West Bengal, 22 lakh million people, who were removed, filed appeals. Under the leadership of judges, only 1.26 lakh appeals could be resolved in six months. Among them, 91% of the people were re-included in the lists. This is a massive error; a criminal offense, he said.

“It will take 15 years to resolve the remaining appeals. During this period, three assembly elections and three parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held. They will not be able to vote in the polls,” he alleged.

Similarly, mistakes have happened in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Karnataka. In New Delhi, 2.70 lakh people who voted in the previously concluded elections have been removed from just 24 wards now. This is a massive injustice.

“Even prominent figures like Amartya Sen and L.K. Advani have been removed. Until now, we thought that all three Election Commissioners had made mistakes. But currently, the other two are saying that the CEC alone made the mistake,” Mr. Chidambaram noted.

“Regarding a matter denied by two commissioners, Mr Gyanesh Kumar has published his view as the commission’s opinion. In response to a question asked under the Right to Information Act, it has been replied that the file regarding the decision on the Special Intensive Revision does not even exist in the Commission. Therefore, Rahul Gandhi has been emphasising that a case should be registered against the CEC and he should be arrested,” he added.

“TVK secured 35% of the vote share and won the election in Tamil Nadu. While large-scale vote tampering did not occur, certain voters were unlawfully removed from the registry. Consequently, the claim that the election outcome was solely decided by vote theft is unfounded. Legally, re-polling cannot be ordered for concluded elections. However, the SIR process must be halted immediately, and the 1.33 crore affected citizens must be reinstated on the voter rolls,” he observed.

“Even though TVK is in our alliance, it is not necessary for them to raise their voice on all issues. The TVK can voice their opinion on the SIR even after the by-elections are over,” Mr. Chidambaram opined.

“Since they do not have MPs, the TVK is not a part of the INDIA bloc. They may join after securing MPs. The INDIA bloc will discuss the SIR. However, it is not known whether the DMK will participate in it,” he stated.