In a significant political move, Samajwadi Party (SP) national president Akhilesh Yadav issued a stark warning on Thursday, alleging a conspiracy to disenfranchise voters from the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) communities. He called upon the party's grassroots workers to mount a vigorous defence of every single vote.
A Call to Action for PDA 'Prahris'
Akhilesh Yadav directly addressed the SP's cadre of 'PDA Prahris' – representatives appointed at the booth level across Uttar Pradesh. Their primary task is to assist Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in the Election Commission of India's Special Summary Revision (SIR) exercise. Yadav urged them to be extra vigilant and counter what he described as deliberate attempts to delete names of PDA community voters from the electoral rolls.
"Despite best efforts of the PDA Prahris, names of crores of voters from the PDA community are missing from the draft rolls," Yadav claimed in an open letter. He instructed every Prahri to extensively screen the electoral rolls to ensure every PDA vote is included in the final list. "It's time to get down to work to be doubly sure that every single vote is retained," he appealed.
Voter ID as the Ultimate Citizenship Proof
The SP chief framed the issue in grave terms, linking voter registration to fundamental citizenship rights and access to government services. He warned the electorate of a potential future where not being on the voters' list could lead to denial of essential benefits.
"Who knows tomorrow the BJP government comes up with a law where if one's name is not in the list, the individual may be denied a ration card, benefits of government schemes, caste certificate, reservation in employment, bank accounts, shares and investments, insurance, driving licence, purchase of vehicles, PAN cards, Ayushman card, admissions in colleges and universities, water and electricity connections or even land, property registration!" Yadav stated.
He emphasised that a name in the electoral roll is a sign that he or she is a citizen of India, and people should treat their voter ID as the primary identification of their citizenship.
Political Charge and the Road Ahead
Yadav accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of nurturing a hidden desire to go to any length to retain power. He charged the BJP with aiming to stake claim on land, water, and forests to share with its "friends."
The open letter concluded with a dual purpose: a caution and a political call. "Do treat this open letter as a caution and work towards the formation of a PDA government in the state," Akhilesh Yadav directed his workers. He asserted that by ensuring one's name is on the voters' list, an individual preserves both their identity as a citizen and their future fortune.
This appeal from the Samajwadi Party president sets the stage for a fiercely contested electoral battle in Uttar Pradesh, with voter list integrity becoming a central issue.
