BJP Leaders in Bengal, Bihar Hit Out at Opposition Over CEC Protest

BJP leaders in West Bengal and Bihar have criticised Opposition parties over demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing them of politicising the electoral-roll revision process.

West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh said the Opposition was focusing on the Election Commission at a time when elections are approaching in several states. He also linked the issue to the forthcoming civic elections in West Bengal.

Ghosh defended Kumar's position as the head of a constitutional institution and argued that political parties should focus on preparing for elections and taking their case to voters rather than targeting the Election Commission.

His comments came amid an intensifying dispute over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised concerns about the deletion of names from draft rolls and have demanded greater safeguards for voters whose names are excluded.

Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal also criticised the Congress over the protests. He accused the party of using what he described as misleading claims against the Election Commission and said the Opposition was attempting to undermine confidence in the electoral process.

The comments from the two BJP leaders came after Opposition parties, student groups and civil society organisations staged protests in Delhi and other parts of the country seeking action against the CEC over the SIR exercise.

In Delhi, Opposition parties and student groups attempted to gather near Jantar Mantar on October 2. Delhi Police had denied permission for the demonstration and imposed restrictions in the area. Several hundred protesters were detained as police prevented groups from reaching the designated protest zone.

The Opposition has alleged that more than 13 crore names were left out of draft electoral rolls across 30 states and Union Territories during the SIR process. Available data confirms that more than 13 crore names were absent from the draft rolls across the states and Union Territories covered by the exercise, although the Election Commission process allows eligible electors to seek inclusion through claims and objections.

Opposition parties have demanded Kumar's resignation and changes to the electoral-roll revision process, including mechanisms they say would make it easier for voters to challenge their exclusion.

The BJP has rejected the Opposition's allegations and defended the Election Commission. The dispute has become a significant political issue as several states head towards elections.

The controversy has also intensified following reports of differences within the Election Commission over aspects of the SIR exercise. The Indian Express has reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections on several occasions over the past 10 months on issues related to the poll panel's functioning and the revision process.

With the electoral-roll revision continuing and political parties preparing for upcoming elections, the disagreement over the SIR process and the role of the Election Commission is expected to remain a prominent issue in the political debate.