Rahul Gandhi protesting against ECI out of desperation, says Pralhad Joshi

Union Minister for Education, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi has alleged that, after successive defeats in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in various States, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has begun protesting against the Election Commission of India (ECI) out of desperation.

Speaking to presspersons in Hubballi on Wednesday, Mr. Joshi said blaming the ECI for the Congress party’s electoral losses was far from the truth. “The agitation against the ECI is aimed at covering up Rahul Gandhi’s failures,” he said.

He also termed as baseless the allegation that 13 crore voters had been removed from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). “Of them, 3 crore have died and officials have not been able to contact 2.80 crore. A total of 6.80 crore voters have shifted to other places. Officials should make efforts to trace the voters they have not been able to contact so far,” he said.

Defending the steps taken by the ECI, Mr. Joshi said voting rights could not be extended to anyone without proper scrutiny. The Congress government in Karnataka should ensure that the SIR process is conducted properly, he said.