Akhilesh Yadav
NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday levelled serious allegations against the Election Commission and the BJP, claiming the two were working together to misuse the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He alleged that the revision exercise was being deployed to “cancel over 50,000 votes” in assembly constituencies where INDIA bloc parties secured victories in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reported ANI.Addressing a press conference, Yadav said the SP had become increasingly concerned about what he described as targeted political preparation by the BJP in coordination with the poll body. “After the Bihar elections, we learned from newspapers, social media, and other sources that the BJP is preparing on an extensive level in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal in collaboration with the Election Commission,” he said. He added, “After the 2024 loss, the BJP and EC are targeting UP and West Bengal.”Reiterating his charge, the former UP chief minister said, “The most important point is that the BJP, its government, its officials, and the Election Commission are working together to cancel over 50,000 votes in the assembly constituencies where the Samajwadi Party and the INDIA alliance won in 2024, using the pretext of SIR.” He urged citizens to remain alert and verify their enrollment, stating, “We appeal to people to ensure that their name is in the voter list. ”The SIR exercise is currently underway across 12 states and Union territories – including Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal – with the final electoral roll expected on February 7, 2026. The participating states and UTs are Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.As the political temperature around the revision process rises, the Trinamool Congress has scheduled an internal review meeting on November 24, chaired by party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, to assess district-wise SIR progress and ensure that no eligible voter is left out. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is also slated to meet members of the Matua community in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas, on November 25 as part of parallel outreach efforts.
