Khour, Oct 8 (KNS) : Working President of J&K Congress and former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand Thursday issued a strong political call to Congress workers to intensify the party’s campaign for electoral transparency and protection of democratic institutions while addressing a meeting of Congress workers from the Akhnoor and Chhamb Assembly constituencies at Chak Malal.

In a statement issued Tara Chand said that the issues repeatedly raised by Rahul Gandhi regarding the integrity and transparency of the electoral process have assumed greater significance following recent disclosures concerning differences within the Election Commission of India.

Referring to the investigation published by the newspaper Tara Chand said the report highlighted 14 instances over 10 months in which Election Commissioners recorded objections on matters concerning electoral rolls and related decisions.

He said the reported dissent and the issues highlighted in the investigation deserve transparent answers before the people of the country. Rahul Gandh raised questions when many were unwilling to listen. Today, the disclosures reported by the newspaper show that serious questions were also being raised within the Election Commission. The people of India deserve complete transparency. The sanctity of every vote must be protected.

Tara Chand said that Congress workers would take the issue to the grassroots and make people aware of the importance of protecting their voting rights. This is not merely a political issue; it concerns the fundamental right of every citizen to choose their representatives. Our fight is to ensure that every legitimate vote is protected and that every voter has confidence in the electoral process.

Calling upon party workers to implement the forthcoming programmes announced by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) with full organisational strength, Tara Chand said the campaign must reach every village, panchayat, block and booth.

He directed workers from Akhnoor and Chhamb to maintain continuous public contact and explain the Congress position on electoral transparency, constitutional values and democratic accountability. The Congress worker cannot remain confined to party offices. We have to go to the people. We have to take Rahul Gandhi ji’s message to every village, every block and every booth. The AICC programmes must become a grassroots movement for awareness about democracy and the right to vote.”

Tara Chand said the reported objections by Election Commissioners should not be treated merely as an internal administrative matter when they concern the country’s electoral system. The fresh revelations reported that the dissenting notes dealt with issues including electoral-roll procedures, voter additions and deletions, centralisation of electoral-roll software and changes relating to Form 6. The Election Commission has maintained that differing views are part of its decision-making process.

Tara Chand also referred to the growing demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid the controversy surrounding the electoral-roll revision process.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelOpposition parties have called for his resignation, while the Election Commission has rejected allegations of wrongdoing and defended its decision-making process. The Supreme Court has also sought the Election Commission’s response to a plea challenging the manner in which certain decisions were allegedly taken.

“Whether it is the questions raised by Rahul Gandhi, the reported objections within the Election Commission or the growing demand for accountability from the Chief Election Commissioner, these issues cannot simply be brushed aside. If public confidence in the electoral system is to be maintained, there must be transparency, facts and accountability. The demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar reflects the seriousness of the concerns being raised by opposition parties and citizens.”

Tara Chand further said that, irrespective of differing interpretations, public confidence in electoral institutions requires transparency and credible answers.

“When questions are raised from within an institution as important as the Election Commission, the answer cannot be political silence. The answer must be transparency, facts and accountability. Every voter has a right to know that the electoral process is being conducted fairly and transparently.”

Tara Chand also called upon Congress workers to strengthen coordination with INDIA alliance partners, saying that democratic and constitutional issues require collective engagement.

He said the Congress would continue to work with like-minded parties and democratic forces on issues concerning the Constitution, electoral transparency, democratic institutions and citizens’ rights. The INDIA alliance must remain united on issues concerning democracy and the Constitution. We must stand together for institutional accountability and for the rights of the people.

Concluding his address, Tara Chand urged Congress workers to work with unity, discipline and dedication and ensure maximum participation in the upcoming AICC programmes. He said the Congress campaign would focus on creating public awareness and strengthening democratic participation rather than allowing important questions concerning the electoral process to disappear from public discussion. Our message is simple, protect the vote, protect the Constitution and protect democracy. Every Congress worker must carry this message to the grassroots. The people must remain at the centre oo our democratic system.

The meeting concluded with the workers resolving to strengthen the Congress organisation in Akhnoor and Chhamb, implement the forthcoming AICC programmes at the grassroots and work in coordination with democratic forces and INDIA alliance partners.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included Madan Lal Sharma, Bodhraj Sharma, Capt kalidass, Devinder Singh Bittu and others.(KNS)