Pune, Jul 9 (PTI) NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule on Wednesday said questions being raised over the special intensive revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls was an opportunity for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to reassure the country that it was not influenced by any political party or government.
Talking to PTI here, she also said it was unfortunate that India, which is one of the largest and vibrant democracies in the world, was facing questions about the election process.
Opposition parties have come together to hit out at the ECI over the intensive revision of Bihar’s voters’ list, saying this exercise could deprive crores of people their voting rights. Several fresh petitions, including a joint petition by leaders of Congress, NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi Party, JMM, CPI and CPI (ML) were filed in the Supreme Court against the poll panel’s decision.
The ECI has, however, maintained that the revision, being held after 22 years, will cleanse the voters’ list of ineligible people and duplicate entries, and include those eligible as per law to vote.
Sule said, “I think it is very unfortunate that in a country like ours, which is a vibrant and one of the largest democracies in the world, we are facing so many questions about the election process. This is a great opportunity for the Election Commission to step forward, show full transparency, and reassure the country that it is not influenced by any political party or government.” On the ongoing language row and a rally taken out by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and some pro-Marathi groups over the issue on Tuesday, Sule said the Maharashtra government has failed once again.
Referring to the permission being denied to the rally and detention of MNS workers, she said, “Whatever happened in Mumbai yesterday was wrong. We are not against Hindi, we are simply saying that nothing should be forced upon anyone.” The first chief minister of the state, late Yashwantrao Chavan, said that anyone who lives in Maharashtra is a Marathi, the Baramati MP said.
“But if someone beats or threatens our people and the chief minister does not act, then what will people do? How will they respond? Today, people are afraid that someone may come and threaten us and the chief minister of Maharashtra will remain silent,” she said.
Talking to reporters, the NCP (SP) working president also sought stern action against Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, who assaulted a canteen employee at the MLAs’ hostel in Mumbai for allegedly being served stale food.
An offence should be registered against the legislator for his behaviour, she added. PTI SPK NP
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