Don’t Cry, Work Hard: BJP to Oppn as SC Allows Voter Roll Revision in Bihar
The Supreme Court’s recent decision to allow the Election Commission to continue with the voter roll revision in Bihar has sparked a heated debate among political parties. While the exercise aims to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, the opposition parties have been critical of the move, alleging that it is an attempt to disenfranchise voters. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken a diametrically opposite view, urging the opposition to focus on wooing their voters rather than crying foul.
Reacting to the Supreme Court’s decision, BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that the move is a “setback” for parties that have been campaigning against the exercise. “They should work hard enough to (woo) their voters rather than coming out crying that their voters are being removed,” he stated. Rudy’s comments are a clear indication that the BJP is not willing to engage in a debate about the merits of the voter roll revision exercise, but rather wants to focus on the political benefits of the decision.
So, what exactly is the voter roll revision exercise, and why has it become a contentious issue in Bihar? To understand the context, it is essential to delve into the history of electoral reforms in the country.
In India, the electoral roll is a critical component of the democratic process, as it determines the eligibility of voters to participate in elections. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for maintaining the electoral roll, which is updated periodically to ensure its accuracy and integrity. However, over the years, concerns have been raised about the quality of the electoral roll, with allegations of duplicate and fake entries, as well as the inclusion of non-citizens.
In response to these concerns, the ECI launched a massive exercise to clean up the electoral roll in Bihar, which has been plagued by electoral malpractices in the past. The exercise aims to remove duplicate and fake entries, as well as ensure that only eligible voters are included in the electoral roll. The opposition parties, however, have been critical of the move, alleging that it is an attempt to disenfranchise voters and benefit the BJP.
The opposition parties have been vocal about their concerns, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress party alleging that the exercise is aimed at removing voters who are likely to support their parties. They have also accused the ECI of not providing adequate information about the exercise, which has led to widespread confusion and anxiety among voters.
However, the ECI has maintained that the exercise is necessary to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, and that it is being carried out in a transparent and democratic manner. The commission has also assured that the exercise will not result in the removal of eligible voters from the electoral roll.
The BJP, on the other hand, has been supportive of the ECI’s decision, arguing that the exercise is necessary to clean up the electoral roll and ensure that only eligible voters are included. Rajiv Pratap Rudy’s comments, mentioned earlier, reflect the party’s stance on the issue. The BJP has also accused the opposition parties of trying to politicize the issue, and of being more interested in scoring political points than in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
It is clear that the voter roll revision exercise in Bihar has become a highly polarized issue, with the opposition parties accusing the ECI and the BJP of trying to disenfranchise voters, and the BJP accusing the opposition parties of trying to politicize the issue. While the exercise is necessary to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, it is also essential to ensure that it is carried out in a transparent and democratic manner.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the ECI to continue with the voter roll revision exercise in Bihar is a critical step towards ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. While the opposition parties have expressed concerns about the exercise, the BJP has taken a more nuanced view, urging the opposition to focus on wooing their voters rather than crying foul. As the exercise continues, it is essential that all stakeholders engage in a constructive dialogue to ensure that the electoral roll is updated in a transparent and democratic manner.
