Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Sep 2: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi knows that his party’s defeat is certain in the upcoming elections and is already looking for reasons to explain the outcome, BJP Tamil Nadu unit chief spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy said on Wednesday.

His remarks came after Gandhi criticised the deletion of 2.07 crore electors from the 9.78 crore electorate in Maharashtra in draft rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Gandhi had on Tuesday alleged that the BJP and the “Vote Chori Aayog” keep changing their tactics and would continue doing so for a “BJP’s victory at any cost”.

Speaking to reporters, Thirupathy said the Opposition’s criticism of the SIR exercise was aimed at creating an excuse for its anticipated defeat.

“Rahul Gandhi knows that his defeat is ensured. So, they may say so many things. As far as SIR is concerned, they have gone to the court. But the court has very clearly said that what the Election Commission is doing is right,” he said.

Thirupathy said the Election Commission of India (ECI) had repeatedly demonstrated the need for the exercise to ensure the accuracy of electoral rolls.

He said names of people holding multiple voter registrations, deceased persons and those who had changed their place of residence needed to be removed.

Calling SIR a major electoral reform, he said it should be welcomed rather than opposed.

“As far as the Election Commission is concerned, yes, they are very much successful. It is a very, very great reform. So, it should be welcomed,” Thirupathy said.

He further alleged that Gandhi was already preparing an explanation for a possible defeat in the 2029 elections.

“Rahul Gandhi is afraid of his defeat and is trying to find some reason for his defeat in the next few years. Now, Rahul Gandhi has ensured his defeat in the 2029 elections. That is why he is talking like this,” he said.

‘Perpetrators should be harshly punished’

Reacting to the Noida-Delhi bus rape case, Thirupathy termed the incident “most unfortunate” and called for stringent punishment for those responsible.

He said the perpetrators should be punished immediately and that the punishment should be harsh enough to deter similar incidents anywhere in the country.

Criticism over Mettur Dam event

On the opening of the Mettur Dam, Thirupathy criticised what he described as unnecessary government expenditure and questioned the need for a political event around what he called a routine exercise.

“Opening the Mettur Dam is a regular ritual happening in Tamil Nadu. I don't know why so much money has been spent for Mr Vijay, the Chief Minister, to do it. I don't think it is necessary. It is unwanted expenditure when the government says that there is no money in the treasury,” he said.

Thirupathy also backed farmers’ right to protest over their concerns, referring to Tamil Nadu’s financial liabilities and promises made by the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

He claimed that Tamil Nadu’s loan burden was more than Rs 10 lakh crore and said the TVK had promised a complete loan waiver before the elections.

“So, the farmers have the right to protest,” he said.

BJP backs women’s rights

On the controversy surrounding remarks about women participating in public religious celebrations, Thirupathy alleged that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and other “communal forces” were attempting to curtail women’s rights.

“That is what we have been saying: IUML and all these communal forces are trying to curtail the rights of women. Women have got all the rights in the world, just as men have,” he said.

He questioned the silence of Congress and Communist leaders, alleging that they were reluctant to speak out because of minority vote-bank considerations.

“Where are Congress ministers? They are just keeping quiet. And what about the Communists? They are all afraid to talk because of minority votes. But the BJP will support women and their rights,” Thirupathy said.

He added that the BJP would support Muslim women and oppose any attempt to restrict their rights in the name of religion.

“Though they may say that it is a religious right, it doesn't fall under religion. No religion will say that Muslim women or women from their communities should stay indoors. No religion will say that. We strongly condemn it,” he said.

IUML seeks to play down controversy

The remarks came after IUML Kerala President Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal on Tuesday sought to play down the controversy surrounding comments by All India Jamiyyathul Ulama General Secretary Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar about women participating in public religious celebrations.

Thangal said the Sunni leader might have been motivated by concerns over women’s safety rather than an intention to restrict their rights.

He suggested that Kanthapuram may have intended the restriction for the “benefit of women”, citing growing instances of women being “abused and misused” in contemporary society.

Thangal said the call for restrictions could therefore be understood as an appeal for greater social control.