Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav has launched a sharp attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that the ongoing Summary Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is being weaponised to undermine the opposition rather than enhance democratic participation. The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister claimed the exercise is being executed to "fulfil the BJP's dream of cutting opposition votes."
Questioning the Urgency and Timing of Voter List Revision
Speaking to journalists within the Parliament complex on Monday, Akhilesh Yadav raised serious questions about the urgency behind launching the SIR in states like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, where assembly elections are not imminent. He linked this haste directly to the BJP's recent electoral setbacks in Uttar Pradesh during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
"Why this unnecessary rush?" he asked, pointing out that the government was not allowing adequate time for proper voter verification. "Since losing in UP, the BJP is in panic mode. Their restlessness is evident," the SP chief asserted. He further criticised the timing of the drive, suggesting it was launched during the wedding season to ensure lower public participation and scrutiny.
Allegations of Selective Deletion and Tech Firm Interference
Akhilesh Yadav contended that while the SIR is ostensibly meant to enrol new voters, its actual implementation is leading to the selective deletion of names from the lists. He escalated his accusations by claiming that the BJP is deploying massive resources and private technology firms to manipulate the process.
"No party can match the BJP's resources. Major IT companies have been hired," he alleged. He specifically named a Noida-based firm, which he said was paid hefty sums to monitor booths where the BJP faced defeat in the 2024 elections, with the aim of ensuring voter numbers do not increase in those areas.
He contrasted this focus on the electoral rolls with the government's performance on pressing public issues. "Instead of addressing inflation and unemployment, the ruling party is focusing on manipulating electoral rolls to gain an unfair advantage," he stated.
Concerns Over BLO Deaths, EC Inaction, and Demand for Caste Census
The SP president also highlighted the tragic issue of deaths among Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who he said were working under extreme pressure during the voter enumeration process. He accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of failing to act on complaints of irregularities, citing an incident where a policeman allegedly brandished a revolver to prevent voters from reaching a polling booth. "Democracy demands fairness, not intimidation," he remarked.
Reiterating one of his core political demands, Akhilesh Yadav called for a nationwide caste census. He proposed that SIR forms should include a caste category to ensure transparency in the process. He further alleged that none of the officials overseeing voter protection initiatives belonged to the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) communities, questioning the inclusivity of the exercise.
His statements bring the focus back on the heated political debate surrounding electoral integrity and the preparation of voter lists, setting the stage for further confrontation between the opposition and the ruling dispensation.
