Congress President Accuses BJP of Voter Suppression in Bihar

Allegations Against BJP's Voter Registration Process

On Sunday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of plotting to disenfranchise the people of Bihar through a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list.

He asserted that the voters of the state would teach the BJP a lesson for its 'attack on democracy and the Constitution.' Kharge referenced a new advertisement issued by the Election Commission, which urged Bihar voters to fill out just one form under the SIR.

Kharge claimed that 'when public opposition arises, the BJP cunningly retreats.' In a post on 'X', he stated, 'The BJP's master plan to strip millions of their voting rights in Bihar, with the help of the Election Commission, now seems to be backfiring on them.'

He emphasized that Congress has been vocal against the SIR from the very beginning, questioning why those who have consistently voted in elections are now being asked to show documentation to vote.

Kharge further alleged, 'The BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are conspiring to forcibly take away the voting rights of the poor, marginalized, Dalits, and backward communities.' He claimed that nearly eight crore people would be affected by the SIR.

He pointed out that it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to maintain the voter list, not the public. He argued, 'When pressure from the opposition, the public, and civil society increased, the Election Commission hastily published these advertisements stating that only a form needs to be filled out, and no documentation is required.'

The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha accused the BJP of trying to mislead and confuse the public, stating, 'The truth is that the BJP has decided to crush democracy at any cost. However, when faced with public opposition, they cleverly take a step back.'

Describing Bihar as the birthplace of democracy, Kharge asserted that the people of the state would respond to the BJP's attacks on democracy and the Constitution in the upcoming assembly elections.