In a sharp accusation against the government, Chandrashekhar, the national president of the Azad Samaj Party and Member of Parliament from Nagina, has claimed that the votes of backward classes and Dalits are being systematically removed through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive. He made these allegations while addressing a gathering in Kanpur district on Sunday.
Allegations of Electoral Manipulation
Speaking at the 'Bhaichara Banao Sammelan' organized by his party in Palpur village, Chandrashekhar launched a direct attack. He stated that the government's intention is to rule by eliminating the voting power of marginalized communities. "The government wants to rule by removing the votes of the people of backward classes and Dalits," he alleged.
He connected his speech to the winter solstice, referring to Sunday as the longest night of the year. He warned that an even longer period of darkness has been looming over the weaker sections of society. However, he expressed hope, arguing that if such a large community unites and boosts its morale, "the day is not far when there will be its rule from Lucknow to Delhi."
Questioning the CM's Claim on Voter List Revision
Directly addressing the SIR process, Chandrashekhar pointed to a claim made by the Chief Minister. "The Chief Minister was most worried and had claimed that '4 crore votes have been cut'," he said. He then raised critical questions about the source of this information: "Where did he get these details from? Is the Election Commission directly reporting to him?"
He reinforced his central allegation by concluding, "The government wants to rule by cutting votes of the weaker sections." This statement underscores his party's primary charge against the ongoing voter list revision exercise.
Criticism of Reduced MNREGA Funding and State Debt
Beyond electoral issues, the Azad Samaj Party leader also criticized recent changes in the funding pattern for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). He highlighted a significant reduction in central support.
Chandrashekhar pointed out that the Central government's contribution to MNREGA has been slashed from 90% to only 60%. This cut, he implied, would adversely affect rural employment schemes crucial for the poor.
Further questioning the state's financial capacity, he brought up Uttar Pradesh's debt burden. He claimed that there is a debt of approximately Rs 31,000 per person in the state. "What money will the indebted government give to the public?" he asked, casting doubt on the administration's ability to fund welfare programs effectively.
The event in Palpur village served as a platform for the party to rally support and voice these strong criticisms against both state and central policies, framing them as detrimental to backward classes, Dalits, and the economically weaker sections.
