Tejasvi Surya urges youth to critically examine political developments

BJP MP from Bengaluru South Lok Sabha Constituency Tejasvi Surya on Tuesday urged young people to critically examine political developments saying that attempts are being made to undermine constitutional institutions. Speaking at a youth interaction programme, Save Democracy, Eradicate Anarchy, organised at KLE Technological University in Hubballi on Tuesday, he said that attempts have been made over the past six months to create instability and weaken constitutional institutions in the country.

Defending the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Mr. Surya said that the exercise is aimed at strengthening the electoral system. Referring to the Congress allegation that 13 crore voters have been removed from the electoral roll, he cited the Election Commission’s explanation that the deletions include deceased voters, duplicate entries and people who have permanently relocated.

Citing a World Bank survey, he said that 56 crore people have moved out of poverty in the past decade attributing the achievement to the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. He urged youngsters to draw inspiration from developed countries.

During the interaction, BJP supporter Vishwanath Bijapur questioned the party’s ideological direction saying that it is changing and that family-based politics is increasing in the party. He also asked why action is not being taken against those creating instability in the country.

Jason from Madikeri said that the SIR exercise has caused hardship to voters whose names are missing from electoral roll forcing them to visit government offices with supporting documents. He questioned the requirement for existing voters to submit Form 6 afresh.

A few other students also raised concerns. MLAs Mahesh Tenginkai and Lingaraj Patil and the former KLE director Shankranna Munavalli were present.