Ranchi: Ruling JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya on Saturday criticised the Election Commission (EC) over its special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of its assembly polls this year, claiming that the EC is allegedly trying to compromise the fundamental rights of the voters.His remark came after the EC’s proposal to verify the eligibility of every voter in poll-bound Bihar.“The EC’s proposed exercise poses serious concerns over the future of democracy in the country. In its tagline, the EC says ‘no voters left behind’ to ensure voting rights to everyone, contradicting its stance in Bihar, where they are trying to hold the upcoming polls, leaving behind the voters. The commission has dictated to the eight crore voters of Bihar to prove their origins within a month, a seemingly impossible task,” Bhattacharya said, addressing the media.The JMM general secretary further criticised the EC over not allowing unique identifications certified by the Union govt like Aadhaar cards and EPIC as valid documents to prove their origins and said, “The verification process is deliberately being made complex to avoid BJP’s defeat in the upcoming Bihar election. The move is aimed at bypassing the election and imposing the President’s Rule in Bihar.”Bhattacharya also came down heavily on RSS and its general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale over his recent remark to remove the words “socialism” and “secularism” from the Preamble of the Constitution.Criticising Hosable’s remarks, Bhattacharya said, “I want to ask him whether RSS believes in the Constitution of India or not. In 1973, the Supreme Court, in its verdict, said that the Preamble is an inseparable part of the Constitution, as the words in the Preamble reflect the articles of the Constitution. RSS’s attempt shows their intention to compromise the basic structure of the Constitution and fundamental rights of the citizens.“Meanwhile, amid the ongoing discussions about JMM not being able to make any mark in the INDIA bloc in Bihar, Bhattacharya clarified that his party would contest the Bihar election with all its might. “JMM knows how to get its rights. Stay prepared, JMM will contest the election along with the alliance and under Hemant Soren’s able guidance,” he said.
