Welfare Party of India slams Election Commission’s move to revise Bihar voter list
New Delhi: The Welfare Party of India has strongly criticized the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision to revise the voter list in Bihar, alleging that the move could lead to the mass exclusion of genuine voters ahead of the upcoming state elections.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, Dr. SQR Ilyas, National General Secretary of the Welfare Party of India, described the ECI’s decision as a “devious and dubious idea,” raising serious concerns about its timing and implications. With elections scheduled for November, Dr. Ilyas questioned the practicality of preparing a new list of 80 million voters in just 25 days, particularly when nearly 73% of Bihar is grappling with flood conditions.
He warned that such a hurried revision process could result in widespread disenfranchisement, as lakhs of government officials responsible for document verification would have unchecked authority to determine voter eligibility. “This undermines the very essence of adult franchise,” he stated.
Dr. Ilyas also highlighted the plight of thousands of Bihari migrant workers who are currently employed outside the state. Traditionally, many of these workers return during elections to cast their votes, but the ongoing revision may now prevent them from being included in the new list. Citing emerging reports, he claimed that as many as 20 million voters could be excluded through this process.
Referring to recent political developments, Dr. Ilyas noted that the INDIA bloc, a coalition of 11 political parties, has already met with Election Commission officials to voice their opposition. He asserted that the voter list revision amounts to an attack on the basic structure of the Constitution.
The Welfare Party of India, he affirmed, will join the INDIA bloc at the forefront of protests and legal efforts to challenge this decision.
Dr. Ilyas concluded by stating that the Election Commission, as an autonomous constitutional body, is duty-bound to uphold democratic principles and ensure free and fair elections. He warned that it must not allow itself to become “a tool to serve the ulterior motives of the BJP government.”
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Chlorine gas leaks at defunct water purification plant in Pune; 24 persons hospitalised
Pune, Apr 30 (PTI): At least 22 residents and two firemen were hospitalised after a chlorine gas leakage at Kondhwa in Pune after midnight on Thursday, fire officials said.
The leak originated from an abandoned tank containing chlorine at a defunct water purification plant godown in the Gangadham area around 1 am, they said.
"Following the leak and the subsequent spread of gas, residents in the vicinity complained of breathlessness. Upon receiving the call, fire teams were dispatched. Several citizens were evacuated, and the leaking tank was patched using safety equipment," a fire official said.
During the operation, 22 residents and two fire personnel complained of breathlessness and were rushed to the hospital, he said.
A man who previously operated the water purification plant at the site said he had dismantled the unit, but the tank containing chlorine appeared to have remained unattended and developed a leak.
"All the affected residents and the two fire personnel are out of danger and currently under observation at Sassoon General Hospital," the official said.
