New Delhi, Dec 15 (NationPress) During the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha resumed its discussions on electoral reforms on Monday. Senior JD(S) leader and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda (92) came forward to defend Prime Minister Narendra Modi against opposition claims regarding irregularities in voters' lists, which they term as 'vote chori'.

Gowda emphasized that lapses in the electoral process have been a recurring issue throughout history, including during the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. He cited a notable instance of the alleged addition of 18,000 votes in Kerala during Indira Gandhi's era.

"Even in Nehru’s time, there were certain irregularities in the electoral system. These issues are not a recent phenomenon," he stated, underscoring that problems have arisen under various administrations, including those led by Congress.

Referring to recent controversies in Bihar, where opposition parties raised alarms over the Election Commission's review of voter lists, Gowda remarked that despite comprehensive reviews, the electoral results remained a reflection of the people’s will.

"What was the result of the election? Congress managed to secure only six MLAs," he noted.

Shifting focus to the current Prime Minister, Gowda praised PM Modi's electoral accomplishments. He remarked, "After a successful 12-year tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, PM Modi contested his first Lok Sabha election in Varanasi in 2014, winning by a margin exceeding 3.72 lakh votes -- with no allegations of manipulation at that time. In 2014, the BJP clinched 282 seats independently, enough for a majority, yet PM Modi opted to form a wider NDA coalition, inviting allies for inclusiveness. Similarly, in 2019, with 303 seats, the party again prioritized coalition-building to ensure representation for partners and establish a stable government.

"With his charisma and strength, the Prime Minister could have governed without partners, yet he opted for inclusivity," Gowda asserted, adding that the accusations against the Prime Minister regarding the voters' lists lack merit.

He emphasized the importance of trust in institutions such as the Election Commission and the Supreme Court, which have provided directives to remedy any discrepancies.

Gowda criticized the term 'vote chori' used by the opposition, labeling it as disrespectful to the Prime Minister's office.

Earlier, as the Rajya Sabha reconvened, AIADMK MP Dr. M. Thambidurai continued his address, expressing confidence in the Election Commission's actions. He stressed that clean electoral rolls are vital for democracy and called for adequate campaigning opportunities, referencing a Supreme Court directive for Standard Operating Procedures in Tamil Nadu following an incident in Karur.

The debate over electoral reforms, including discussions on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, has been characterized by intense exchanges between the ruling NDA and opposition parties across both Houses. The session proceeds amid wider parliamentary proceedings.