New Delhi, July 25
The political storm over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls continued to dominate proceedings on the last day of the Bihar Assembly, with opposition parties protesting against the procedure.
Former Chief Minister Rabri Devi echoed the opposition’s outrage, saying, “The names of 61 lakh people have been removed from the voter list. The BJP is snatching away people's right to vote.”
CPI(ML) MLC Shashi Yadav called the move unconstitutional and unprecedented. “This is happening for the first time in the country. Until now, we have had the constitutional right to become voters upon turning 18. But now, the government wants you to prove whether your name will be included in the voter list or not. It is wrong, and we are opposing it,” she said.
Meanwhile, JD(U) leaders dismissed the allegations as political drama. Senior party leader K.C. Tyagi stated, “One month was given to register names in the voter list. 97 per cent of individuals have already been registered. Those whose names were left out or incorrectly entered still have time. I have no doubt about the impartiality of the Election Commission.”