Controversy Erupts Over Bihar's Voter Roll Revision: 'Vote-Bandi' Allegations

The Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist) Liberation has accused the Bihar government of orchestrating 'vote-bandi', referring to the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as a disenfranchisement strategy. The party has announced plans to campaign against this decision.

CPI(ML) Liberation's general secretary, Dipankar Bhattacharya, criticized the recent meeting with the Election Commission, stating opposition concerns were disregarded. The gathering focused on apprehensions about the disenfranchisement of over two crore voters, resulting from the exercise positioned strategically before assembly elections.

Bhattacharya questioned the silence of parties like Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party, suggesting they join the protest. The opposition fears the SIR, likened to demonetisation, might marginalize migrant and poor voters lacking necessary documents. The issue may soon reach the courts as disenfranchisement worries mount.

(With inputs from agencies.)