Bihar JDU MLA raises concern over ‘removal' of migrant workers' name from electoral rolls
Amid the opposition's ongoing protests, leaders from the ruling JD(U) have also raised concerns, crossing party lines.
JD(U) MLA Dr Sanjeev Kumar expressed deep concern over the removal of names of labourers and poor voters from the electoral rolls in his constituency, Parbatta, in Khagaria district.
He stated, 'It is justified to remove the names of those who have died, but removing the names of the poor and labourers is completely wrong. Many are working in other states and cannot be contacted or do not know how to apply online.'
Dr Sanjeev highlighted that the timing of the revision was inappropriate, suggesting it should have been conducted during the summer vacation, Holi, or Chhath Puja, when migrant workers return home, ensuring their inclusion in the voter list.
While supporting the removal of names of Pakistani or Bangladeshi infiltrators and deceased voters, Dr Sanjeev warned that removing the names of migrants working outside Bihar would be 'deeply saddening' and could significantly impact the NDA's vote bank in the upcoming elections.
'Here, it is not a matter of ruling or opposition but of the rights of voters. It would be good if more time is given for the process, especially for migrant labourers,' he added, noting that although he did not get a chance to raise the issue inside the Assembly, he is voicing it within the NDA.
As the opposition intensifies protests over alleged disenfranchisement, the JD(U) MLA's remarks highlight the growing unease within the ruling alliance regarding the execution and timing of the voter list revision in Bihar.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
15 minutes ago
- Indian Express
West Bengal govt trying to ‘legitimise Rohingya Muslims, illegal Bangladeshi immigrants': Suvendu Adhikari writes to Election Commission
West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari Monday expressed concerns over an alleged increase in voter registration applications and the issuance of domicile certificates in the border districts, claiming that this is an attempt by the state administration to legitimise 'infiltrating Rohingya Muslims and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants'. Sharing a copy of a letter he wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on July 26, the BJP leader wrote on X, 'A disturbing trend has emerged in West Bengal's border districts. Over 70,000 Form-6 applications have been submitted on average in the last week, a sharp rise from the usual 20,000-25,000, especially in Coochbehar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Maldah, North Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Nadia, and North & South 24 Parganas districts.' Form-6 is used for registering as a new voter for the first time. He said this surge, coupled with reports of domicile certificates being issued, raises concerns about the government's 'unethical and illegal efforts' to facilitate the 'legitimising of the infiltrating Rohingya Muslims and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants' to manipulate voter lists. Adhikari has urged the CEC not to accept any domicile certificates issued after July 25, during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, if such an activity is conducted in West Bengal. He said this step is crucial to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process'. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday started training booth-level officers (BLOs) in West Bengal, amid speculations that the SIR of electoral rolls, similar to the one being held in neighbouring poll-bound Bihar, will be held in the state, too. Adhikari alleged in his letter that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's offfice has issued directives to the district magistrates (DMs) and subdivisional magistrates (SDMs) of North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Malda, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Coochbehar districts for hte issuance of a large number of domicile certificates in these border districts with Bangladesh. 'The integrity of our Democracy must be protected and can't be allowed to get diluted for vested interests of Vote Bank Politics. The District Election Officers must remember that they are entrusted with the responsibility of conducting free and fair elections, and their allegiance is with the country and protecting the interests of the country,' he wrote. Earlier, on Saturday, Saturday Adhikari said the Bengal BJP would take to the streets from August 17 demanding a 'Rohingya-free Bengal' in a bid to counter Trinamool's 'Bangla-Bangali' narrative in the run-up to next year's Assembly elections. 'Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee gifted this homeland to Bengali Hindus, and we will protect it,' Adhikari said. Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal. Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. ... Read More
New Indian Express
15 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
'Why do you assume that they came from Pakistan': Chidambaram's remark on Pahalgam attackers stirs row
A political row has erupted ahead of the high-stakes parliamentary debate on 'Operation Sindoor', India's military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The controversy was sparked by remarks from former finance minister and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram, who, in an interview with The Quint, questioned the narrative that the attackers came from Pakistan. 'There is no evidence so far that the killers were Pakistani,' Chidambaram said, suggesting that "homegrown terrorists" could have been involved. He also slammed the government's handling of the investigation, asking why the attackers had not yet been apprehended or identified. His comments triggered a sharp backlash from the BJP, with the party accusing Congress of undermining national security. 'Once again, the Congress rushes to give a clean chit to Pakistan, this time after the Pahalgam terror attack,' BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya posted on X, sharing a clip from the interview. He further added, 'When it comes to national security, there should be no ambiguity. But with the Congress, there never is – they always bend over backwards to protect the enemy.'
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Parliament Monsoon Session Day 6 LIVE: Parliament to hold 16-hour debate on Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, PM Modi to speak
Parliament Monsoon Session LIVE News Updates: After a week of repeated disruptions and adjournments, the Lok Sabha is set to hold a fiery debate on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor today (July 28). Discussion on US President Donald Trump's claim of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor will also be taken up today. The Rajya Sabha is scheduled to take up the discussion on the matter on Tuesday. 16-hour debate: Both sides have agreed to a marathon 16-hour debate in each House. According to sources, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will speak on the issue, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to intervene. In addition, the ruling NDA is expected to field its members from the seven multi-party delegations that travelled to over 30 world capitals to present India's case following Operation Sindoor. Whether the Congress will allow Shashi Tharoor to speak on the matter remains uncertain, as he has been at odds with his party after praising the Modi government's handling of the situation while leading a delegation to the US and other countries.
