Hyderabad: K Laxman questioned whether an “RR Constitution” was governing Telangana. The BJP Rajya Sabha member alleged that the Congress government had undermined constitutional norms by inducting 10 BRS MLAs into its ranks.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office on Friday, Laxman criticised the Congress and Rahul Gandhi. BJP spokesperson NV Subhash also attended the meeting. Before making his political remarks, Laxman paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries.
Laxman also criticised the Congress-led “Save Democracy March”. He described it as a “Save Dynasty March”. According to him, the party had responded to electoral defeats with claims of vote theft and EVM tampering.
On electoral-roll revision, Laxman questioned the Congress objections. He said authorities routinely remove duplicate, deceased and bogus entries from electoral rolls. The BJP leader alleged that the Congress was opposing the exercise to protect bogus votes.
Laxman challenged the Congress to provide evidence of genuine voters being unlawfully removed. He also linked the issue to the party’s criticism of the Election Commission.
K Laxman targets Telangana defections and electoral issues
Turning to Telangana, Laxman referred to High Court observations concerning MLA defections. He questioned the justification given by the Assembly Speaker for legislators elected on the BRS symbol later joining the Congress.
The BJP leader asked whether Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy were effectively operating under an “RR Constitution”. He contrasted the phrase with the Constitution of India.
“Rahul Gandhi carries a copy of the Constitution wherever he goes. Does he not see what is happening to constitutional values in Telangana?” Laxman questioned.
The BJP leader also criticised the Congress over its objections to the Election Commission. He referred to the appointment of Navin Chawla during the UPA era. Laxman also recalled the Emergency imposed during the Indira Gandhi government.
He questioned the Congress’s record on democratic institutions. According to Laxman, the party could not lecture others on democracy while facing historical controversies involving constitutional institutions.
On EVMs, Laxman pointed out that electronic voting machines were introduced during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister. He questioned the Congress’s present opposition to their use.
Laxman argued that returning to ballot papers could bring back booth capturing and electoral violence associated with earlier elections. In addition, he backed simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
He recalled that India held Lok Sabha and Assembly elections together in 1952, 1957, 1962 and 1967. Laxman said simultaneous elections could reduce expenditure and save administrative time.
The BJP leader further accused Rahul Gandhi of making disparaging remarks about Indian democracy abroad. He said people would respond to what he described as attempts to undermine India’s democratic institutions.