Congress in grassroot drive to add sure-shot party voters to poll roll

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of Rahul Gandhis campaign against vote theft , the Congress in Kerala has launched an exhaustive grassroots-level intervention to update voters lists to ensure that its presumptive backers get a chance to cast their ballot ahead of the local body elections. In line with the high commands instructions, the state leadership has set up multiple-level scrutiny to prevent any kind of lapses, party sources said. Learning from past experiences when the party had to pay dearly for its lackadaisical attitude, the Congress has reportedly added hundreds of new voters. In sharp contrast from the past, party leaders at the booth level have been issued strict instructions to add only sure-shot voters of the Congress and its UDF allies. Earlier we used to add voters without considering their political affinity, Congress Oachira block president B S Vinod told TNIE. However, this time we are examining the political background of each voter we intend to add. There is multiple-level scrutiny to check for double votes. We also keep a strict vigil on any attempts by our political opponents to add voters with a house rent contract or house number, he said. The ward committees are entrusted with the first level of verification. It has been decided that besides Congress ward president, prominent leaders from each segment even if it is state party chief or leader of opposition should be present for verification. Then local party workers visit each house to verify the names. They will also take stock of party supporters who have been left behind. AICC general secretary K C Venugopal is personally monitoring the exercise. A KPCC leader said the party has added a minimum of 100 new voters in each ward. We also ensure that applications are submitted and voters are present at the hearing. For this, the party has distributed forms to each ward committee, which will enter details of new voters and submit them to mandalam committee for review. They have to submit a new list every two days, he said. Congress to go to public to raise funds The four review meetings have already been completed, the leader said. The AICC had allocated funds to the state unit for distribution to ward, mandalam and block level committees for activities related to updating the voters list. The national leadership has also instructed the KPCC not to divert the funds to the state and district committees. For the first time, the party has decided to go to the public to raise funds with Rs 60,000 fixed as target for each ward. On August 29, 30 and 31 workers will visit houses in all districts. Besides, the KPCC president, leader of opposition and the three working presidents are holding review meetings in each district.