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DM says ‘mistake’ after names linked to BJP, RSS appointed as BLO assistants in Madhya Pradesh

The district administration later described the inclusion as an “inadvertent mistake” and initiated action to remove the names.

The development triggered criticism from the opposition Congress, which alleged that the ruling BJP was influencing the electoral revision exercise.

A row erupted in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia district after several persons reportedly linked to the BJP and the RSS were appointed as assistants to booth-level officers (BLOs) for the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The district administration later described the inclusion as an “inadvertent mistake” and initiated action to remove the names.

The development triggered criticism from the opposition Congress, which alleged that the ruling BJP was influencing the electoral revision exercise. State Congress president Jitu Patwari shared a copy of the official list on social media, claiming that at least four appointees were BJP members or office-bearers.

Datia Collector Swapnil Wankhade told PTI that three politically affiliated names were “wrongly included” in the list of BLO assistants. “I did not issue the order. It was issued by the SDM (sub-divisional magistrate) of the Datia assembly. He received the list from officials, and three names were included incorrectly. These persons are being removed from the list. Different departments had sent names for assistants, and three were added by mistake. There was no mala fide intention. The official (SDM) had no such intention, but he made a mistake. We have asked him to explain how it happened,” Wankhade said.

Manish Mishra, who has been accused by Patwari of being a BJP worker, told The Indian Express, “I don’t hold any posts in the BJP. I am a small-time worker associated with the party. The local administration has not contacted me over this controversy.”

Another man, identified as Bobby Raja, denied the allegations. “I am not associated with the BJP or the RSS. I was designated as the assistant to the BLO to help in the SIR exercise. I have not been intimated about this by the local authorities”.

The other two names mentioned in the list could not be contacted.

Patwari wrote that even a constitutional exercise like the SIR was being “politically manipulated” by the administration. “When the party in power begins to colour every institution in its own shade, democracy suffers,” he alleged, adding that the Congress would oppose any attempt to “misuse the electoral process”.

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BJP spokesperson Shivam Shukla said, “The SIR is a nationwide exercise taken on a massive scale. There are bound to be some issues which may crop up, and political parties are free to approach the Election Commission with an affidavit. The BJP believes that this exercise should be fair and transparent.”

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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