Raipur, March 19 The opposition Congress on Thursday alleged that over 19 lakh names were deleted from the electoral rolls in Chhattisgarh during the Special Intensive Revision exercise and demanded a discussion on the issue in the state assembly.
After the Chair rejected their demand, Congress members staged a walkout from the House.
Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Leader of the Opposition Charandas Mahant claimed that more than 19.13 lakh names had been removed from the electoral rolls during SIR.
These are the people of Chhattisgarh whose names have been deleted, he said. They are residents of the state, but their whereabouts are unknown, Mahant said.
Interrupting him, senior BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar argued that the issue does not fall under the jurisdiction of the assembly and should not be placed on record.
Mahant, however, reiterated his concern, questioning the “sudden disappearance” of such a large number of voters.
“Have 19 lakh people vanished, died, or left the state? When so many people are missing, is this not an issue? Neither the police nor the government seems concerned,” he said, seeking discussion on the issue by moving an adjournment motion notice.
Chandrakar insisted that the SIR process does not involve the state government, as it is conducted by the Election Commission of India, a constitutional authority.
Discussion on the functioning of a constitutional body cannot be taken up in the legislature, he said.
BJP member Dharamjeet Singh alleged that the Opposition was raising the matter in the House because it had no substantive issues.
The Chair disallowed the adjournment motion, stating that the matter pertains to the Election Commission of India. Dissatisfied with the decision, Congress members walked out of the House.