Can't say voter deletions were responsible for TVK's victory or DMK’s defeat in Tamil Nadu: P Chidambaram

SIVAGANGA: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Monday (September 28) dismissed claims that alleged voter name deletions were responsible for the TVK's victory or the DMK’s defeat in recently held Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, asserting that while deletions were wrong, he does not see them as the cause of the election outcome.

Addressing a press conference in Karaikudi, the former union minister stated that while those voters' names removed should have been included, the opposition party must prove its claims regarding the scale of vote manipulation.

"They (ECI) have removed them (voters). That is wrong. Those names should have been included. But it is not apparent to me that TVK won and DMK lost only because of that," Chidambaram said.

Turning to the wider nationwide controversy over SIR process, he announced that the opposition's next course of action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, including approaching the Supreme Court or moving a removal resolution in Parliament, will be decided at upcoming Congress Working Committee (CWC) and INDIA bloc meetings if the CEC does not resign.

His remarks came amid a report of differences within the three-member Election Commission over several decisions and instructions relating to electoral-roll revision, deletion and addition of names, changes to forms for new voters and access to voter data.

However, the EC has asserted that differing views and observations are a normal part of deliberations in any institution and all its orders carry full legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.

The Congress leader reiterated the demand previously raised by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for Kumar's resignation, registration of an FIR, and his arrest.

He noted that nationwide demonstrations were held following the expiry of a deadline for the CEC to step down, with protests organised across the country, including in Karaikudi.

Chidambaram also ruled out holding fresh elections, explaining that the Constitution does not permit re-elections for completed polls. Instead, he outlined key demands to remedy the situation: An immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in other states, the reinstatement of 13.3 crore voter names allegedly deleted across 20 states, particularly in Bihar, Maharashtra, Haryana, and West Bengal, and a return to standard annual revision protocols.