Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday criticized opposition parties for opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar, accusing them of engaging in vote bank politics.
Shah alleged that the opposition is resisting the SIR because infiltrators form a significant part of their vote bank.
The Union Minister also pointed out that this exercise is not new, noting that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had initiated it.
Speaking at a rally, Shah said, “Elections are approaching in Bihar. Before I arrived here, newspapers were filled with debates over whether the SIR should be conducted. I am a BJP worker, but I ask the people: Should we not remove immigrants from the voter list? Who is Lalu Prasad Yadav trying to protect? Do you want to save those Bangladeshis who come from outside and take away jobs from the people of Bihar?”
He added, “Rahul Gandhi should stop this vote bank politics. SIR is not happening for the first time; it was started by Jawaharlal Nehru and took place in 2003 as well. They are making excuses because they fear losing the Bihar elections.”
Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah stated, “Before the Bihar assembly elections, the question is—should infiltrators’ names be removed from the voter list or not? The Constitution of India does not grant voting rights to those not born in India. Rahul Gandhi carries the Constitution around; he should open it and read it. They are opposing SIR because infiltrators are their vote bank.”
Amit Shah expressed confidence that the NDA will secure a majority and form the government in Bihar after the assembly elections.
“The NDA government will be formed in Bihar with a clear majority,” he said.
The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar has triggered a political controversy, with the opposition INDIA bloc claiming that the revision could lead to the removal of a large number of voters.
In Parliament, opposition parties have been demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of Bihar’s electoral rolls since the start of the monsoon session. (Agencies)
