Targeting the INDIA bloc for holding Bihar Bandh against the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday alleged that the Opposition was politicising the issue to “favour” those illegally added to the voter list.
While strongly supporting the electoral roll revision, Prasad, a former Union minister, questioned the Opposition’s intent behind the bandh and asked if they were engaging in street politics to exert pressure on the judiciary through such tactics.
“These people must either trust the judiciary or stick to the streets. When the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter tomorrow, then what is the purpose of taking to the streets today — is it an attempt to pressure the judiciary? Do they want names to remain on the voter list that do not belong there, like infiltrators?” he said.
Prasad was referring to the batch of petitions challenging the revision filed by RJD MP Manoj Jha, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), activist Yogendra Yadav, and Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra, which would be taken up by the Supreme Court on July 10.
“Isn’t it true that sometimes Rohingyas or other such individuals illegally get their names added to the voter rolls? If the work is being done with full honesty, then what is the objection? The message is clear. These leaders want to politicise the issue in favour of those who have been illegally added to the voter list. The simple truth is that they know they won’t win the Bihar elections, just as they were defeated in Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi,” he said.
Prasad said that the Opposition parties’ conduct raised serious questions even as 4 crore of the 7.90 crore voters in Bihar had already submitted enumeration forms which translated to “more than 50% participation” in the exercise with 16 days remaining.
On the issue of the documents required, he said that the Election Commission had clearly stated that those whose names were in the voter list till 2003 do not need to submit any documents, as there was a detailed revision at that time.
“After this process, the draft voter list will be published, and time will be given for corrections. If anyone has objections, they can apply for a hearing. If dissatisfied with the Returning Officer’s decision, they can appeal to the District Collector. If still unsatisfied, there is an option to appeal to the Chief Electoral Officer…The process has been explained multiple times,” he said.
