Welfare Minister Adluri Lakshman Kumar participates in Lok Bhavan siege and protest
Hyderabad(Rights Media): The struggle being waged by the Congress and the INDIA bloc to safeguard democracy and the constitutional right to vote must be regarded as a collective responsibility by every citizen of the country, Minister for Social Welfare Adluri Lakshman Kumar said on Thursday.
He said the Union Government and the Election Commission must provide clear and convincing answers to the apprehensions being expressed by people and opposition parties over the functioning of the electoral system.
Mr. Lakshman Kumar participated in the Lok Bhavan siege and protest programme organised in Hyderabad on the call given by TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud. He joined leaders and workers of the INDIA bloc parties in the protest rally towards Lok Bhavan and expressed solidarity with the campaign for the protection of democratic institutions and constitutional values.
Describing elections as the foundation of a democratic system, Mr. Lakshman Kumar said transparency and accountability were of paramount importance in all matters concerning citizens’ voting rights.
He said the Union Government and the Election Commission had a responsibility to address the concerns raised by the Opposition over the revision of electoral rolls and the deletion of voters’ names.
Public confidence in constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission was essential for the healthy functioning of democracy, he said, adding that all such institutions must conduct themselves in a manner that strengthens, rather than undermines, that confidence.
Mr. Lakshman Kumar strongly criticised the action taken against Opposition leaders for voicing their concerns through democratic means. He expressed his indignation over the manner in which Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, were dealt with by the police and the Union Government.
Questioning the government and seeking accountability over developments concerning the electoral process were legitimate democratic rights of the Opposition, he said. Attempts to silence voices that raise questions on behalf of the people would only deepen public apprehensions, he added.
The Minister stressed that protecting the right to vote guaranteed to every citizen by the Constitution was a collective responsibility. The people’s right to elect their representatives through their vote must not be weakened under any circumstances, he said.
He called upon the Union Government to take steps to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process and to give a comprehensive response to the issues and concerns raised by the Opposition.
Mr. Lakshman Kumar said it was imperative that democratic institutions function independently and impartially so that the faith of the people in the country’s democratic framework remained intact.
The Congress would continue to stand with the people in defending the Constitution and upholding democratic values, Mr. Lakshman Kumar said.
The issue, he maintained, was not confined to any particular political party but concerned the fundamental democratic rights of every citizen of the country.
The Congress, along with the INDIA bloc parties, would continue its efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and safeguard constitutional values, he said.
“There will be no compromise when it comes to protecting the sanctity of the people’s vote. We will continue to pursue every democratic avenue available to safeguard the spirit of the Constitution,” Mr. Lakshman Kumar asserted.
