Kerala CM's Silence Under Fire: Venugopal Demands Answers on Alleged Voter Roll Exclusions

In a scathing attack on the Kerala government, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary K.C. Venugopal has publicly challenged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s conspicuous silence regarding the Election Commission’s recent special intensive revision of the electoral roll. Venugopal, a prominent figure in the Congress leadership, raised serious concerns about the alleged large-scale exclusion of eligible voters, particularly in several key northern districts of the state, demanding immediate answers and decisive action from the Chief Minister.

The veteran leader highlighted reports suggesting that a staggering 1.5 lakh voters have been systematically removed from the electoral rolls across Kasargod, Malappuram, and Kozhikode districts.

This alarming figure, according to Venugopal, points to a potentially deliberate attempt to disenfranchise a significant segment of the electorate, raising questions about the integrity and fairness of the upcoming electoral processes in Kerala.

Venugopal’s criticism took a pointed turn as he drew a direct parallel between the Chief Minister's current silence and his earlier vociferous opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

He reminded CM Vijayan of his government’s strong and principled stand against policies that threatened to exclude citizens based on arbitrary criteria. “The Chief Minister, who took a strong stand against CAA and NRC, saying that no one should be excluded, is now silent when the Election Commission is trying to exclude voters,” Venugopal stated, questioning the consistency of the CM's stance on fundamental democratic rights.

The AICC General Secretary didn't mince words, suggesting that the Election Commission's actions, if left unchecked, echo the very objectives of the NRC, which seeks to identify and potentially exclude individuals from citizenship.

He further alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is actively attempting to “hijack the Election Commission,” implying political manipulation behind the revision process to serve partisan interests.

Venugopal also referenced the numerous complaints and widespread discontent that have emerged from the public regarding the flawed revision process.

He called upon CM Vijayan to shed his silence and intervene promptly to ensure that all eligible citizens are rightfully included in the voter list, upholding the democratic principles of inclusivity and fair representation. The Congress leader underscored that the Chief Minister had previously pledged to oppose any form of exclusion, whether based on religion, caste, or other factors, and urged him to honour that commitment now, as the state grapples with this critical electoral challenge.