Congress chief Kharge slams BJP over deaths of electoral officials during SIR Phase II

COngress chairwoman Mallikarjun Kharge on dominicus launched a vituperative assail against the Bharatiya Janata company after several Booth Level Officers (BLOs) across the country, who were "overburdened" during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision(SIR) of the electoral roll, died by suicide.The row erupted after a BLO in Kerala's Kannur died by suicide, followed by a similar incident in West Bengal.ALSO READ | Opposition to take on Centre over SIR, ‘vote theft’ in ParliamentSharing a media report claiming the demise of 16 BLOs in six states, Kharge said that the alleged electoral fraud has taken a "deadly turn."In an X post, calling it a "forced implementation" of the SIR exercise, he compared it to the demonetization and the COVID lockdown times. Congress chief also questioned the Election Commission for their silence on the deaths of the BLOs.He wrote, "The BJP's vote theft has now taken a deadly turn. Overburdened with workload, BLOs and Polling Officers are being driven to suicide. To every family that has lost its loved ones, my deepest condolences. According to ground realities, these numbers are far higher than what's reported, which is extremely alarming. Who will deliver justice to these families?"ALSO READ | Vote theft: Himachal youth Cong holds protest, gherao Raj Bhawan"The BJP is busy lapping up the cream of power through theft, while the Election Commission of India stands as a mute spectator watching the spectacle. The hasty, forced implementation of SIR without any planning brings back memories of demonetization and the COVID lockdown," Kharge added.Terming the alleged suicides as a consequence of the BJP's "hunger for power," the Congress chief appealed to the masses to raise their voice against the SIR exercise, currently underway in 12 States and Union Territories."Abusing power to force institutions into suicides, tearing the Constitution to shreds, and weakening democracy, this is the consequence of the BJP's hunger for power. Enough now!! If we still don't wake up, no one can save the last pillars of democracy from collapsing. Those who remain silent on SIR and vote theft are culpable in the deaths of these innocent BLOs. Raise your voice, save democracy," the X post read.ALSO READ | Surjewala joins Cong protest against ‘vote theft’ in KaithalAccording to the media report shared by Kharge, 16 BLOs have died in six states, including four each in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, three in West Bengal, two in Rajasthan, and one each in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.After the death of the BLO in West Bengal sparked a political row, Governor CV Ananda Bose on Sunday said that the death of BLO Shanti Muni Ekka, who allegedly took her own life due to unbearable pressure from the SIR of electoral rolls work, will be examined in detail."In such a situation, it is better to avoid a knee-jerk reaction. What the Chief Minister said has to be examined in detail. I am sure we have an Election Commission which is strong enough and has a balanced outlook. All these issues can be examined properly and appropriate solutions found, but what is required is free and fair elections in this country," Governor said.