DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai slammed the ECI's 'arbitrary' SIR process, saying the party signed an opposition letter to the CJI. He also demanded the resignation of a TVK minister in Tamil Nadu over a drug controversy.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai on Tuesday said his party has signed the Opposition's joint letter to the Chief Justice of India against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, alleging exercise is "arbitrary" and "anti-democratic."
Speaking to ANI, Annadurai claimed that the SIR process was aimed at disenfranchising voters. "It operates on the premise of disenfranchising voters, whereas any democracy should be about franchising people. Universal Adult Franchise is the cornerstone on which any democracy functions. However, the current SIR process seeks to ensure that voters are weeded out of the electoral rolls. We have signed the petition demanding that such arbitrary exercises be stopped," Annadurai said.
The INDIA bloc parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the DMK, have come together to raise concerns over the ECI's Special Intensive Revision process and other election-related issues, addressing a joint letter to the Chief Justice of India. Sources told ANI that behind-the-scenes discussions led by major parties of the INDIA bloc successfully secured the signatures of both the DMK and AAP on the joint letter.
In a post on X, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh noted that the letter initially discussed at an INDIA Janbandhan meeting on June 8 was signed by 23 political parties and one Independent leader. "21 political parties plus one Independent attended the INDIA Janbandhan meeting on June 8, 2026, where a decision was taken to address a joint letter to the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India on the SIR process of the Election Commission of India and other election-related issues. Accordingly, a joint letter now signed by 23 political parties plus one Independent has been sent to the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India today. The Opposition parties are firmly anchored in SURE--Solidarity, Unity and REsistance," Ramesh wrote on X.
DMK demands TN minister's resignation over drug controversy
Shifting his focus to the local Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led Tamil Nadu government, Annadurai demanded the resignation of state Human Resources Management Minister D Sarathkumar, following a recent viral video controversy that sparked allegations of drug use. "The TVK came to power complaining that there was a massive drug menace during the DMK rule and that the law and order situation was deteriorating due to narcotics. They promised to cleanse the system. However, we now have a minister from the TVK party engaged in highly suspicious activity indicative of drug abuse. The explanations offered by him are not convincing the general public. First and foremost, an FIR should be registered, and the minister must step down," Annadurai alleged.
He further questioned why the state government had not ordered an official investigation into the matter. "The TVK government is quiet, thinking they can brazen it out. But the people of Tamil Nadu are watching. The Chief Minister recently ran a 3-kilometre marathon against drug abuse. What will the public think now?" he said. (ANI)
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