PANAJI
CM Pramod Sawant accused Opposition parties of using young people to target constitutional institutions, alleging that the INDIA bloc blamed electronic voting machines (EVMs) for its electoral defeats.
Reacting to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest in Delhi, Sawant defended the Election Commission of India (ECI), saying it was independent and that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls followed the Constitution.
He alleged that Opposition parties were avoiding legal remedies and resorting to street protests. “They know they have lost due to EVMs and that the people have rejected them; that is why they are doing this,” Sawant said.
He maintained that SIR was not a new exercise and had been conducted previously. Sawant said eligible voters whose names were deleted could seek re-inclusion by submitting Form 6. However, non-Indian citizens, deceased voters, those who had shifted residence and individuals registered at multiple locations would not be entitled to voting rights.
Defending the detention of protesters in Delhi, Sawant said it was justified to maintain law and order and urged those challenging the electoral process to approach the courts.
