Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched a sharp attack on political parties opposing the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) ongoing voter verification initiative, claiming they were attempting to shield infiltrators.
His remarks follow West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s urgent request to halt the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Speaking at an event in Gujarat, Shah asserted that preventing infiltration was a national security priority. He added that it was also essential to safeguard the country’s democratic framework.. He argued that opposition to the ECI’s verification exercise raised serious concerns.
Shah said the ECI’s SIR drive aimed to purify voter lists and eliminate illegal entries, a move he described as crucial for protecting India’s demographic stability.
“Preventing infiltration is vital not only for national security but also to ensure that our democratic processes remain untainted. Yet some political parties oppose the ‘ghuspaithiya hatao’ initiative and the ECI’s voter verification efforts,” he said.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, he added, “Every infiltrator will be identified and removed. It is the citizens of this country, not outsiders, who will choose their representatives.”
Mamata Banerjee Raises Concerns Over SIR Process
Shah’s comments came a day after Mamata Banerjee wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In her letter, she urged an immediate halt to the SIR exercise. She argued that the methodology risked alienating voters and potentially depriving them of their franchise.
In her letter, Banerjee claimed that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were working under significant pressure, leading to incorrect or incomplete submissions. This, she warned, could result in the disenfranchisement of legitimate voters and compromise the integrity of electoral rolls.
She urged the ECI to “stop coercive measures, offer proper training, and reassess the existing procedures and timelines.”
The BJP, including its West Bengal unit, swiftly rejected Banerjee’s concerns and directly accused her of trying to obstruct a lawful and transparent verification process. The party claimed she raised objections for political gain and to shield illegitimate voters.
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