Final Up to date:November 24, 2025, 21:30 IST
The Congress has skilled its weapons on the BJP in addition to the Election Fee over the voter roll train, calling it an try and “steal” votes
Jharkhand well being minister Irfan Ansari has triggered a row by publicly criticising the state’s Sales space Stage Officers (BLOs) and expressing his intent to dam the implementation of the Particular Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, prompting a response from the Election Fee (EC).
The controversy erupted when Ansari, whereas addressing a public gathering, accused BLOs of being a hindrance to the graceful functioning of varied administrative processes, together with the SIR initiative. He reportedly advised locals that if any BLO approaches their house with SIR-related duties, they need to not hesitate in “tying them up”.
“Everyone should protest against SIR. If the BLO comes to your house, lock them inside. The BLO is coming to delete names (from the voter list). Lock him inside the house and release him after I arrive,” he mentioned.
Taking cognizance of the remark, the Jharkhand CEO has requested for a report from DEO Jamtara on the problem.
Final week, the Congress’ Jharkhand unit had determined to nominate Sales space Stage Brokers (BLA)s by December 15 within the run-up to the SIR course of. The Occasions of India quoted state in-charge Ok Raju as saying: “The upcoming SIR process in Jharkhand is going to be very crucial. Around 56 lakh people were removed from the voter list in Bihar. The party must remain vigilant to ensure that such a situation does not arise in the state.”
The Congress has skilled its weapons on the BJP in addition to the Election Fee over the voter roll train, calling it an try and “steal” votes and arguing that the method may very well be used to intentionally take away opposition-leaning or marginalised voters from the rolls.
Ansari’s assertion sparked a flurry of reactions from numerous political quarters. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey took to X to slam Ansari’s “irresponsible” assertion.
“The minister Dr Irfan’s statement regarding the SIR is not only irresponsible but also an attempt to mislead the public. When officials working at the grassroots level, such as BLOs, conduct verification by going door-to-door, to talk of tying their hands is an insult to the administrative system and democratic decorum. Such statements spread confusion in society. The Congress has always played this kind of politics and has supported Bangladeshi infiltrators,” he mentioned.
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi escalated the assault, calling his remarks a “condemnable attempt to hold democracy hostage”.
“I want to ask the INDI alliance members: Is this not a condemnable attempt to hold democracy hostage? Will your leaders openly call for such a move, as Irfan Ansari did, that if someone comes merely to inquire, take him hostage? Is the Constitution in danger?”
“Once again, the country realises that wherever members of the INDI alliance come to power, the spirit of the Constitution is ignored. Why? To capture power by obtaining votes from some dubious sources,” he added.
The BJP helps the SIR as a method to “clean” the voter rolls—eradicating duplicate, useless, or ineligible voters. That is framed as bettering electoral integrity. The EC too argues that it’s important to make sure that solely eligible residents are on the rolls and that the rolls are updated.
Location :
Jharkhand, India, India
First Revealed:
November 24, 2025, 12:01 IST
Information politics ‘Lock Them Inside’: Jharkhand Well being Minister’s ‘Threat’ To BLOs Triggers Political Storm
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