The explosive allegation about producing 1.25 lakh bogus voter identity cards by K Surendran has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Kerala. While K. Surendran did not explicitly name individuals involved, he provided a crucial clue by suggesting that an app was employed for this dubious operation, thanks to the initiative of a Congress MLA from Palakkad district. The BJP leader contended that prominent Congress leaders, including Leader of the Opposition (LoP) V. D Satheesan and All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, were well aware of these activities. Expressing concern over their silence on the matter, Surendran accused the Congress of posing a threat to the country’s national security.
Surendran underscored the potential risks associated with such actions, emphasising that the same modus operandi could be employed during the Lok Sabha polls, thereby compromising the integrity of the democratic process. The BJP Kerala State President’s social media post has ignited a political firestorm, with many eagerly awaiting responses from the accused Youth Congress and the implicated Congress leaders.
Reports suggest that several candidates who fought the recently concluded Youth Congress organisational elections, have alleged the potential use of the forged voter ID with an intention of manipulating the results. Four contestants have reportedly conveyed their complaints to Congress brass, including Rahul Gandhi. The complaint says that fake ID cards were abundantly used for this; it was facilitated by a mobile app. According to the complaint, a link to this app asks the users to register a photo and name. It is reported that many candidates submitted fake voter ID numbers for the organisational election purposes.
Further reports suggest, the app is known as CR Card. It only requires a passport size image to generate a fake Election Commission of India Identity Card. By providing the name and address, a fake card can be produced in five minutes, reports say. It can even be printed on PVC card. Some Youth Congress leaders have allegedly claimed that thousands of such ID cards have been manufactured using the same method. The complaint alleges, several voters did cast their votes using these fake cards. It is alleged that it was prepared by a PR firm in Bengalooru. Allegations say that the voters who used these fake cards accessed the agency’s dedicated website in connection with the Youth Congress elections, and they did cast their votes. Observers argue, since the uploaded documents were forged, these votes should be construed as invalid. Since several votes were cast, the accuracy of the results remain shady. Interestingly, the creator of this app is unidentified.
According to the complaints submitted before the central leadership, several successful candidates might have used the app in question. The complaint demands annulment of the declaration of the results. The complaint has been reportedly forwarded to the national election committee of the Youth Congress, Youth Congress national president B.V. Sreenivas, Krishna Allavaru (AICC Joint Secretary in Charge of Youth Congress), AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal.
K Surendran ridiculed Youth Congress and Congress in the wake of this allegation. He said, the same Congress has been alleging the tampering of the EVM after every election they fail.
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha State President Praful Krishna has come down heavily on Youth Congress in the wake of the fake ID card allegation. He alleged that it was a mock polling, an attempt to subvert the imminent Lok Sabha elections. He alleged that fake ID cards were made with the knowledge of the outgoing state Youth Congress president Shafi Paramabil MLA. It is to be recalled that Surendran had alleged the involvement of a “Congress MLA from Palakkad district”. Interestingly Shafi belongs to Palakkad. Praful Krishna demanded the immediate resignation of the MLA in view of the allegation. He also demanded an NIA inquiry into the allegation.
BJP gears up to file a case against the Congress in this connection. K Surendran said that he has already filed a complaint before the authorities including the State Police Chief.
Sangh-inspired Janam TV Malayalam channel’s investigation revealed the fraud.
In the meantime, Kerala State Election Officer Sanjay Kaul told the media that he has referred the matter to the State Police Chief (DGP) to look into the allegation.
The allegation comes at a critical juncture as political dynamics intensify in Kerala in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP’s accusations against the Congress party carry significant implications, raising questions about electoral integrity and the potential impact on the democratic fabric of the state.
As the political circles in Kerala buzz with discussions surrounding these serious charges, the onus is now on the accused Youth Congress and the Congress leaders mentioned to respond to the allegations and provide clarification on the purported production of bogus voter identity cards. The unfolding developments are expected to shape the political discourse in the state and could have far-reaching consequences for the parties involved.
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