Kochi, Nov. 8 -- Escalating offensive against the Centre amid row over electoral roll revisions, Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal on Sunday claimed that proposed linkings between Voter IDs and welfare benefits pose a direct threat to the rights of the poor and the youth.

Speaking to reporters in Kochi, he raised concerns over reports that Voter ID cards could be tied to public welfare schemes. Venugopal warned of severe consequences if legitimate voters are arbitrarily removed from electoral rolls.

He affirmed the party's resolve to challenge these policies head-on, stating that Congress would not back down from its nationwide battle for Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar removal.

"Earlier it was the ...