Chaos in Uttarakhand Civic Polls: Congress Spokesperson Alleges "Democracy Throttled"

In a fiery press conference at the Uttarakhand Congress headquarters, party spokesperson Garima Mehra Dasouni launched a scathing critique of the BJP-led state government and the Election Commission, alleging gross mismanagement during the recently concluded urban body elections. Labeling the situation as an assault on democracy, she accused the ruling dispensation of undermining public trust in the electoral process.

Dasouni claimed that widespread irregularities during the polls had left citizens disillusioned. Highlighting incidents like the lathi charge in Roorkee, she questioned whether voters subjected to such treatment would ever feel safe participating in elections again. "Voters were herded and beaten like animals. Is this how democracy functions under BJP's rule?" she asked.

Allegations of Electoral Mismanagement

Pointing to glaring errors in voter lists, Dasouni claimed that names of prominent individuals, including former Chief Ministers and cultural figures, were missing. "Shockingly, even officials responsible for ensuring a smooth election process found their names absent from the rolls," she said. She further alleged that voter lists were riddled with errors, such as gender mismatches and names of minors being included. "Entire neighborhoods seem to have been wiped off the lists. Is this a political conspiracy, incompetence, or something else entirely?"

Congress Criticizes BJP's Silence

Dasouni condemned the ruling BJP for what she described as "insensitive and immature" responses to the chaos. "Instead of addressing the root cause, they are shamelessly shifting the blame onto those disenfranchised," she said. She also accused BJP leaders of misusing state machinery to influence the polls, citing unrest at Rishikesh's strong room and reports of ruling party members' unwarranted presence at polling booths.

"One Nation, One Election? Not Even Local Polls Are Managed"

The spokesperson mocked BJP's push for "One Nation, One Election," arguing that they couldn't even manage local body elections. Dasouni suggested that the disarray reflected the government's inability to uphold the sanctity of democratic institutions.

Public Outrage and Future Concerns

Dasouni painted a grim picture of the public sentiment, claiming widespread anger and frustration. She accused the government of crushing the spirit of democracy through negligence and manipulation, leaving political workers and voters disheartened. "This election has proven that the Election Commission and the state machinery failed utterly in their duty," she concluded, reiterating Congress’s demand for accountability.

While Dasouni's allegations paint a dire scenario, observers note that such rhetoric is not uncommon in the aftermath of tightly contested elections. Whether the claims hold merit or are politically motivated remains to be seen, but the chaos surrounding these polls has undeniably stirred a storm in Uttarakhand's political landscape

This article is based on a press release issued by the Indian National Congress. While GNN has adapted the content for journalistic clarity and neutrality, the information and views presented originate from the press release. For More info, CLICK HERE.