CHENNAI: Political economist and author Parakala Prabhakar has urged Opposition parties to resign from Parliament rather than “legitimise” what he described as electoral fraud under the ruling BJP. Speaking at a national colloquium titled “Defend Democracy. Stop Electoral Fraud” in Chennai, Prabhakar said the Opposition should discard what he called the “Casino syndrome” and confront the crisis head-on.
He argued that if the Lok Sabha was elected on a flawed voters list, its legitimacy stands questioned. “By sitting in Parliament, the Opposition is not stalling anything. When more than 140 MPs were suspended, the government easily passed crucial Bills. Remaining inside only validates the process,” he said.
Prabhakar also challenged parties over selective claims of voter fraud. “If you win in Wayanad or Tamil Nadu, there is no fraud? Only when you lose, it is Vote Chori?” he asked, warning that continuing to engage under such conditions would erode democracy.
N. Ram, Director of The Hindu Publishing Group, said citizenship itself has come under pressure with voter deletions in states like Bihar, where over six million names were removed. He credited Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for highlighting the issue nationally.
Former Union Minister A. Raja added that the matter would be taken up with DMK chief M.K. Stalin, reaffirming that Tamil Nadu would play a central role in the renewed opposition push.
