Bhubaneswar: The opposition BJD has sharpened its attack on BJP leaders, alleging that they are acting like “spokespersons” for the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, amid mounting controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Odisha and elsewhere in the country.
In a strongly-worded release on Friday, BJD media coordinator Dr Priyabrata Majhi claimed that BJP leaders were defending the CEC in the media, which “clearly establishes that irregularities in the SIR process have taken place at the behest of the BJP”.
The party alleged that nearly 90 per cent of people did not receive enumeration forms, and despite repeated complaints, no corrective action was taken. It further charged that the exclusion of 27.5 lakh voters from the rolls in Odisha has cast a shadow over the credibility of the exercise.
“When allegations are made against an election officer, departmental officials should respond, but BJP spokespersons are responding instead. This has further raised suspicion,” the statement read.
Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has demanded the immediate resignation of the CEC, accusing him of conducting the revision “in an undemocratic manner.”
At a press meet in Sankha Bhavan, senior BJD general secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra went further, branding the exercise as the “BJP‑isation of the electoral process” under the so‑called double‑engine government.
“The functioning of the CEC is under a cloud of suspicion. He no longer has the moral authority to discharge this responsibility,” Baxipatra asserted.
The BJD reiterated that while it has always prioritised inclusion of voters, the BJP is allegedly removing names to gain electoral advantage. The party has demanded a re‑examination of the entire SIR process.