Kharge Demands Ballot Papers, Halt to SIR in Patna Rally

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday made a series of strong demands in Patna, calling for elections to be held through ballot papers and an immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. He was speaking at an event marking the 139th birth anniversary of Dr. Shri Krishna Singh, Bihar's first Chief Minister.

The event was marred by a disturbance after a youth who described himself as a Congress supporter remarked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The youth reportedly said that such political struggles would not remove Modi from power. According to reports, he was from Chhapra and was trying to explain his view to Kharge, which led to a dispute. Kharge is then said to have used harsh language against the Prime Minister, and some people reportedly scuffled with the youth.

Kharge's address covered a broad range of election-related concerns. He asked for the cancellation of assembly polls held in the last two years and raised questions about the use of EVMs. He also questioned the Prime Minister's statement about staying in power for 30 more years, saying no one can say who will remain in office that long.

Honouring Dr. Shri Krishna Singh, Kharge described him as a champion of democracy and social justice. He credited Singh with working toward the abolition of zamindari, land reforms, and consolidation of holdings. Kharge also listed projects started during his tenure, including the Barauni oil refinery, fertiliser factory, thermal power plant, and Rajendra Bridge.

Kharge pointed to Singh's association with Mahatma Gandhi during the 1916 Champaran movement and his decision to leave his legal career for the freedom struggle, which included more than eight years in prison.

The Congress chief also attacked the RSS and the BJP, alleging that RSS members had acted as informers for the British, and said that people with such a record could not be considered patriots. He further claimed that some in the BJP and RSS still hold views against the Constitution and believe in untouchability. Kharge added that Bihar is the land of leaders with Singh's ideology, while alleging that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had moved to the BJP due to a change in ideology.