Prevent BJP from subverting mandate: Civil society

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Civil society organisations have warned that they would launch a nation-wide agitation if the ruling BJP tries to retain power through “fraudulent” means. The comments were made at a press conference at Press Club in Bengaluru on Saturday.

They also issued a joint statement signed by the likes of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha state president Badagalpura Nagendra, Dalit Sangharsh Samithi (DSS) founder N Venkatesh, Yedellu (Wake Up) Karnataka Governing Council Member KL Ashok, former minister BT Lalithanayak, Karnataka Muslim Muttahida Mahaz member Ejaz Ahmed Bukhari, Father Manohar Chandra Prasad, Father Arun Lewis and others including advocates.

The civil society umbrella, which claims to have associates all over the country, argued that they had reliable information that the pan-nation coalition of Opposition parties Indian National Developmental Alliance (INDIA) would snag the highest number of Lok Sabha seats of any combine amid a hung Parliament.

They predicted that the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would fall short but try to remain in power through “despicable” means such as manipulation of vote counting, disregarding of the mandate and even horse trading of MPs (Operation Kamala).

However, it is to be noted that most exit polls gave the NDA a simple majority. A party or a coalition needs at least 272 seats to form a government at the Centre.

Resolutions after 2 meetings

The activists said that they had held two meetings, one in Bengaluru on May 21 and another in New Delhi on May 28 and decided to take certain steps.

These include the formation of the Vigilant Voters Task Force (VVTF) in all Lok Sabha constituencies under the banner “Let the mandate be implemented”. They have also written to President Draupadi Murmu, demanding that she invite the INDIA bloc to form the Union government, which they said would come to power.

They have also penned letters to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, Returning Officers (ROs), District Collectors and other authorities, asking them to ensure the mandate is protected and implemented.

They disclosed that they had also written to the Opposition leaders. They also expressed dismay at the Election Commission (EC) for not dealing with hate speeches by the ruling party.

EC opaque: Yeddelu Karnataka

Ashok said that he and his compatriots were very disappointed with the way the EC had behaved this Lok Sabha election cycle.

“The election result is awaited on June 4. However, what we observed closely in the six phases of the elections that took place in the past and the seventh one that took place today (June 1), is that the Election Commission isn’t working in a transparent manner,” he said, adding that the BJP would try to poach MPs.

He also quipped that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been meditating for two days in Kanyakumari, he should be made to retire and settle there after “BJP loses the election”.