The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Tuesday cautioned booth level agents as well as micro-observers to remain sensitive and mindful ahead of the rollout of the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Jharkhand, which is scheduled for next month. House visits by enumerators for the SIR will begin from June 30 in the state.
JMM's Concerns Over SIR Process
Addressing the media, the party's central general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said, “Going by the way SIR was rolled out in West Bengal, Bihar, and other states to suit a particular party, we want to caution BLOs and micro-observers to know that this is Jharkhand, a state which is born out of political colonialism and struggle.”
JMM further stated that the Election Commission (EC) must ensure that no legitimate voter is left out. The party added that it is already working out plans to guarantee the same when the SIR is rolled out in the state.
Allegations of Demographic Alteration
Bhattacharya alleged that attempts would be made not just to alter voter demography but also to change constituencies through delimitation, which will follow in the coming days. “For example, in Assam, after SIR, constituencies were pruned in a way to suit the BJP. We know such attempts will be made here as well, where seats won’t increase, but all efforts will be directed at altering the nature of constituencies,” he claimed.
Congress Echoes Similar Concerns
Congress, an ally of JMM in the coalition government led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, also raised similar apprehensions. Addressing the media, party president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh, along with Poreyahat MLA Pradeep Yadav, said, “We have already deployed around 19,000 booth level agents (BLAs), and more will be deployed to ensure no eligible voter is left out.”
BJP's Response
The BJP hit back at JMM and Congress for allegedly trying to intimidate the EC as well as those engaged in SIR work. “SIR is a mandatory process being undertaken by a constitutional body, and no one can threaten anyone or try to halt it,” said a party spokesperson.
