Mangaluru: The BJP will launch a month-long nationwide ‘Save Democracy’ campaign from November 1 to counter what it describes as misinformation against constitutional institutions and attempts to undermine the electoral mandate, BJP MLC Dr. Ravi C.T. said.
Addressing a press conference in Mangaluru, Ravi said the campaign, scheduled to run until November 30, would feature rallies, padyatras, interactions with young people and discussions with intellectuals.
He alleged that attempts were being made to create instability in India and cited controversies surrounding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), farm laws, allegations of intolerance and electronic voting machines (EVMs) as examples of what he described as misinformation campaigns.
On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Ravi said the exercise was not new and maintained that it had been conducted eight times previously. He said the process was intended to update voter records by removing the names of deceased persons, those who had relocated and duplicate entries.
Referring to the constitutional and legal framework governing elections, he cited Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act. He said election officials and political parties’ booth-level agents had roles in the verification process.
Ravi challenged the Congress to submit formal complaints if it had evidence of irregularities in Karnataka’s electoral roll revision. He also called for verification of the allegation that 13 crore names had been removed from electoral rolls, demanding an apology from the Congress if the claims were found to be baseless.
Criticising the Congress’s position on EVMs, Ravi alleged that the party questioned the machines when it lost elections but accepted results when it won. He also questioned whether parties critical of EVMs would support a return to ballot papers.
Referring to the 2014, 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha election results, he said electoral outcomes should be considered while assessing allegations against the Election Commission. He also cited the Emergency imposed during Congress rule to question the party’s record on democracy.
Ravi said the campaign aimed to build public confidence in constitutional institutions and create awareness about democratic processes.
Dakshina Kannada BJP president Satish Kumpala, Udupi BJP president Kutyaru Naveen Shetty, Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, Ganesh Karnik, MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty and Manoj Shetty were present at the press conference.
