Devendra Fadnavis bats for SIR in state, says BJP has evidence of Opposition manipulating voters’ list

While accepting problems in the electoral rolls, Fadnavis also batted for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state. “We want SIR in Maharashtra. There are problems with the electoral rolls, and even we have been raising them. But while the Opposition says there are problems, it opposes SIR,” he said.

Fadnavis alleged that the Opposition had benefited the most from the duplication in electoral rolls. “When the Election Commission had called for suggestions and objections, they did not give any. Duplication in lists has been an issue. There is a large-scale repetition of names due to migration. Lists need to be cleaned. The cleaning of electoral rolls will only help the BJP,” he said.

“They have no concrete reason to postpone the elections. What is happening is just to spread misunderstanding. Soon our party will also show some things in the lists, which were 100 per cent beneficial to them (Opposition). We also have what they have done in their constituencies in the lists. I agree 100 per cent with their opinion that the lists should be revised. But they are also against revising the lists; they opposed it in Bihar,” Fadnavis said.

While duplication of voters is a problem, the bigger problem is if the voter is voting twice, he pointed out. “We have collected evidence in this regard where one person has names at four places with different photos. I also insist that the voter lists should be accurate. The duplicate names are everywhere. The lists have been in this manner for the last 25 years. I myself had filed a petition in the High Court in this regard in 2012. The case is still ongoing,” he said.

Commenting on the Opposition’s demand not to hold the upcoming local body elections in the state until the faults in the voters’ lists are rectified, Fadnavis said that the Opposition is demanding the postponement of the elections because they are finding the elections difficult now.

Fadnavis also confirmed that the ruling Mahayuti coalition will fight the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections as an alliance. “But in other places, we will take decisions according to the local situation,” he said, hinting at fighting separately in many places. “If we fight as a grand alliance, the Opposition seats may increase. Therefore, we will fight independently without being overly emotional, and after winning, we will come together as a grand alliance,” he said.

A study is underway regarding Thane Municipal Corporation, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s bastion, based on which a decision will be taken there whether to fight as a grand alliance or independently, Fadnavis added.

When asked if the Gujarat pattern of changing ministers will be replicated in Maharashtra, Fadnavis said that a review of the work done by ministers will be conducted. He said that the year has not yet been completed in the state. But a review of the work of the ministers will be done, and after that, a decision on a reshuffle can be taken, he added.

From the homepage

Rs 80 paid for every fraud voter deletion application in Aland seat, finds Karnataka SIT

Dalit man in Lucknow forced to ‘lick ground’ over urination claim, allege kin; accused arrested

Bengal SIR ahead, TMC cranks up rank and file: ‘Go with BLOs, check deletion of voters’