Chhattisgarh Assembly in Turmoil Over Mass Voter Deletion Allegations
The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly descended into chaos on Thursday as Opposition members staged a dramatic walkout following a fierce debate during Zero Hour. The controversy centered on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with the Opposition claiming that the names of more than 19 lakh voters had been systematically deleted from the records.
Adjournment Motion Sparks Heated Exchange
Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant initiated the confrontation by moving an adjournment motion to discuss the issue. Dr. Mahant presented detailed figures, asserting that 19,13,450 citizens had been removed from the voter lists. "These citizens of the state are now 'missing' from the official records. We demand an immediate and thorough discussion on this critical matter through the adjournment motion," he declared emphatically.
Treasury Benches Mount Strong Defense
The ruling party members vehemently opposed the motion. BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar argued that the issue does not qualify as a matter of state or public interest and should not even be entered into the Assembly's official records. His colleague, BJP MLA Dharamjeet Singh, escalated the rhetoric by claiming that the Opposition was fabricating controversies due to a lack of genuine issues to raise in the House.
Allegations of Political Interference
The debate reached a boiling point when Congress MLA and former minister Umesh Patel directly implicated the ruling party in his allegations. Patel accused members of one political party of influencing the deletion of voters from booths in other constituencies. He insisted that the Assembly must hold a formal discussion to address what he described as a grave threat to democratic principles.
Chair's Ruling and Opposition Walkout
The Chair ultimately rejected the adjournment motion, ruling that matters pertaining to electoral rolls fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission of India. Dissatisfied with this decision, Opposition members erupted in protest, raising loud slogans before staging a coordinated walkout from the House. This action highlighted the deepening political rift over electoral integrity in the state.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions in Chhattisgarh's political landscape, with both sides digging in their heels on an issue that could have significant implications for future elections. The walkout marks one of the most contentious moments in the current Assembly session, reflecting broader concerns about transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
