Alarming Bihar Voter Controversy Ignites Political Firestorm

Patna, Bihar – A tumultuous political storm has engulfed Bihar ahead of its crucial assembly elections, centered around the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Congress party, a key constituent of the INDIA bloc, has launched a scathing attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging a “conspiracy” to disenfranchise approximately two crore voters and accusing the BJP of forming a “choron ki Sarkar, chori ki Sarkar” (government of thieves, government built on theft). This escalating Bihar voter controversy has drawn the Supreme Court’s attention and fueled widespread protests across the state.

The core of the Bihar voter controversy lies in the ECI’s ongoing door-to-door verification drive, the first such intensive revision since 2003. While the ECI asserts its constitutional mandate to update electoral rolls and remove duplicate or bogus voters, especially those listed at both permanent and current addresses, the opposition views it with deep suspicion, particularly its timing just months before the state elections.

Congress Claims: A Conspiracy in the Bihar Voter Controversy

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been at the forefront of the offensive, repeatedly alleging that the Election Commission is “working for the BJP” and is complicit in a “new conspiracy” to “steal” the Bihar election. Drawing parallels to last year’s Maharashtra assembly polls, where he claimed one crore new voters mysteriously appeared between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, Gandhi asserted that a similar attempt is being made in Bihar to manipulate the upcoming polls. “The BJP is continuously attacking the Constitution,” Gandhi stated, emphasizing that the INDIA bloc would “never let that happen” in Bihar.

Other prominent opposition leaders have echoed these concerns. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, leading the INDIA bloc’s charge, claimed the SIR is designed to “benefit the ruling NDA” and “wrongfully delete” names of voters unlikely to support the current dispensation. He went further, suggesting that the ECI has lost its credibility and become a “wing of a political party,” questioning why two individuals from Gujarat should decide who votes in Bihar. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also alleged that the BJP-led central government is attempting to omit “secularism and socialism” from the Constitution and that BJP supporters are attacking marginalized communities. The opposition’s concerns are heightened by a clause allowing Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to refer cases of “suspected foreign nationals” to authorities, fearing its misuse against vulnerable populations, particularly in border regions like Seemanchal.

BJP’s Rebuttal: Upholding the Integrity of the Bihar Voter Controversy

The BJP has vehemently refuted these allegations, dismissing them as a desperate attempt by the opposition to create an agenda where none exists. BJP leaders, including Ravi Shankar Prasad, have strongly backed the ECI’s exercise, maintaining that only “citizens of India” are entitled to vote and cast their votes from where they live. Prasad questioned whether the opposition desires the inclusion of “infiltrators” or Rohingyas in Bihar’s voter list, accusing them of playing politics based on “illicit voters.” He emphasized that the revision is a lawful and constitutional process, and that the opposition’s “Bihar Bandh” protests amount to hooliganism.

The ECI, in its statements, has consistently rejected the opposition’s allegations, reaffirming the legality and constitutional basis of the SIR. It has clarified that the exercise targets the removal of illegal immigrants and duplicate entries, ensuring the purity of the electoral roll. The poll panel highlighted its ongoing efforts to cover all existing electors and its constitutional duty to ensure that only Indian citizens are enrolled to vote.

The Supreme Court’s Intervention in the Bihar Voter Controversy

Amidst the escalating political rhetoric, the Supreme Court has intervened, hearing a batch of petitions challenging the ECI’s directive. While the apex court allowed the ECI to proceed with the SIR, it significantly directed the poll panel to “consider” including widely held documents like Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as valid proof for the ongoing process. This direction came after petitioners raised concerns about the exclusion of such documents potentially disenfranchising poor and marginalized voters.

The Supreme Court bench acknowledged the constitutional mandate of the ECI’s revision but also expressed concerns regarding the timing and the ECI’s focus on citizenship issues, noting that such matters typically fall under the domain of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The court’s decision, while not imposing a stay, has been interpreted differently by both sides. Congress leaders, like Jairam Ramesh, claimed it “exposed” the ECI’s “spin” on “no stay,” stating that the order would “save a vast majority of voters from being disenfranchised.” Conversely, the BJP accused Congress of misinterpreting the court’s observations, asserting that the court did not halt the process. The matter is scheduled for further hearing, indicating the ongoing legal scrutiny of this critical electoral exercise.

The Stakes of the Bihar Voter Controversy

The Bihar voter controversy underscores the high stakes involved in the upcoming assembly elections. With nearly eight crore registered voters in Bihar, the electoral roll revision carries immense political weight. The opposition’s allegations of voter disenfranchisement and “election theft” resonate deeply in a democratic setup, while the ruling party’s defense centers on maintaining the integrity and constitutional purity of the electoral process. The outcome of this revision, both legally and politically, will undoubtedly shape the narrative and influence the electoral landscape in Bihar for months to come.

The intensity of the protests, coupled with the judicial oversight, highlights the profound impact of electoral transparency and fairness on public trust. As Bihar prepares for its polls, all eyes remain on the evolving Bihar voter controversy and how it ultimately impacts the democratic rights of its citizens.