Maharashtra State Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal wrote to Maharashtra State Chief Electoral Officer S Chokalingam requesting that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) not be conducted during the Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage due to expected heavy rainfall. He requested that the SIR be postponed by one month instead.
Sapkal stated that between June 30 and July 29 the Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage will also take place, due to which lakhs of Warkari pilgtims will remain away from their villages. Considering the possibility that their names could be deleted from the voter list, Congress State President Harshvardhan Sapkal has written to State Chief Electoral Officer Chokalingam that the SIR should be postponed by a month.
“Maharashtra has a large Warkari pilgrim community, and the Ashadhi Wari falls during this period. Warkaris from more than 20 districts across Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Vidarbha travel on foot to Pandharpur in various dindis (pilgrim groups). Since they will not be at home during this time, there is a possibility that their names could be removed from the voter list,” the letter stated.
The letter also noted that, according to the weather department’s forecast, regions including the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Konkan, Pune, and Satara are expected to receive heavy rainfall in July, which could disrupt normal life. Taking all these factors into consideration, the SIR programme should be postponed by a month, the letter stated.
Speaking to media persons later at a public protest demonstration organised by the Congress against rising fuel prices and fuel shortages, Sapkal said, “The BJP government has crippled the common man by imposing steep price hikes on petrol, diesel, LPG, and CNG. The Modi government has pushed inflation-hit citizens further into hardship through rising fuel prices”.
“There is no petrol, no diesel, LPG cylinders are missing, fuel prices have skyrocketed, farmers are not getting fair prices for their produce, and the public is distressed, yet the BJP government remains indifferent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a jinx for the country, and ever since he came to power, he has been burdening the people of the nation. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is blatantly lying. If he believes there is an adequate stock of petrol and diesel, then why are people standing in long queues at petrol pumps in the scorching afternoon heat? If the government believes hoarding is taking place, then strict action should be taken,” Sapkal said.