Srinagar, Oct 11 (PTI) Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Sunday extended support to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, asserting that he does not need to resign over the allegations of deliberate voter deletions.
“Out of the 13 crore voter deletions, six crore were due to change of residence for various reasons. Gyanesh Kumar ji does not need to resign over the vote chori allegations,” Athawale, who heads the Republican Party of India (RPI), told reporters here.
The RPI is a constituent of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
Defending the police action against the protesters in Delhi on Saturday, Athawale said anyone who indulges in violence will have to go to jail.
“Protest is democratic right of people, but protests have to be peaceful. A person indulging in violence will have to go (to jail),” he said.
On Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s “vote chori” allegations, Athawale said the same could be said about the Congress leader.
“We can say that Congress leaders have won due to fake votes. Things cannot work like that,” he added.
The minister also questioned the motive of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) joining the protests at Jantar Mantar, saying it only invites “chaos”.
“The CJP was formed for demanding resignation of (former Union education minister) Dharmendra Pradhan over the paper leak in the NEET examinations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted the demand and the minister concerned resigned. Why is the CJP protesting now?” he asked.
Asked about the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Athawale said the prime minister and Union home minister have made a commitment to this effect.
“Modi ji and Amit Shah ji have promised to restore statehood at an appropriate time. Only they know when it will happen. When I go back to Delhi, I will convey to them the sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir on this issue,” he added. PTI MIJ PRK
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This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.