Daijiworld Media Network – Jaipur

Jaipur, Jan 17: Political tensions in Rajasthan have intensified over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with the Congress alleging large-scale irregularities and “targeted deletion” of voters believed to be aligned with the party.

The Congress claimed that on the final day for filing claims and objections under the SIR, a large number of allegedly fraudulent Form-7 applications — used for deletion of voters’ names — were submitted across multiple districts.

In Jodhpur, reports have surfaced from Sardarpura, the assembly constituency of former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, where names of several Congress workers were allegedly deleted from the electoral rolls in Muslim-majority wards 7 and 8.

A similar situation was reported from Alwar district, where objections were reportedly filed against 1,397 voters in Ramgarh assembly constituency, triggering panic in rural areas. Most of the affected voters are said to be from the Muslim community.

Gehlot raised the issue on X, alleging direct interference in the process. He claimed that on the last day, booth-level officers (BLOs) were pressured through electoral registration officers, and that even pre-filled Form-7 forms were handed to BLOs, calling it an attack on free and fair elections.

Amid the allegations, the Congress staged protests on Friday in districts including Jodhpur, Kota, Alwar, Dausa, Bharatpur and Nagaur. Party workers submitted memorandums to district collectors and sub-divisional magistrates, alleging irregularities in the SIR exercise.

Earlier, a Congress delegation led by Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully met State Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Mahajan and submitted a memorandum alleging a conspiracy to target voters with Congress leanings. The delegation included PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra, deputy LoP Ramkesh Meena and chief whip Rafiq Khan.

Dotasra also warned officials against wrongdoing, stating that governments may change, but those found involved in dishonesty would not be spared. He said that if even minor irregularities are detected, the Congress would seek registration of an FIR.
The row comes amid the BJP’s repeated allegations that the Congress is attempting to shield Bangladeshi and Rohingya voters.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission issued an update on the SIR process, clarifying that voters whose names do not appear in the revised list will still be able to file objections and seek corrections. The Commission also extended the deadline for the SIR process in Rajasthan, with the revised order applicable to Puducherry, Goa, Lakshadweep and West Bengal.

Despite the extension, the Congress continued its attack, with Jully alleging that the BJP was attempting to tamper with voter lists through the SIR to remove Congress-supporting voters, and questioning the rationale behind extending the objections deadline.