BJP and Congress spar over Bihar's final electoral roll

The release of the final voter list for Bihar following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has triggered a political storm, with the BJP and Congress offering sharply contrasting narratives.

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While the BJP claims the process was aimed at cleaning up the rolls by removing fake voters, the Congress alleges mass voter exclusion, particularly of the poor and marginalised communities.

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi defended the SIR exercise, emphasising that it is part of a routine democratic process.

"The main objective is to protect bona fide voters and to review and remove bogus voters. This is not the first time such an exercise has been carried out in the country. Since the beginning of the electoral process, voter lists have been reviewed multiple times, and necessary changes have been made," Naqvi said.

On the other hand, Congress leaders have raised serious concerns. Uttar Pradesh Congress state president Ajay Rai criticised the Election Commission, alleging that genuine voters were being excluded without proper justification.