Ajit Anjum’s viral video on Patna voter list misleading, says EC, district administration
Patna: The Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Patna district administration have firmly rejected the allegations made in a viral video shared by YouTuber Ajit Anjum, which claimed that a Booth Level Officer (BLO) was seen filling out and signing multiple voter forms during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
Labeling the video as “false and misleading,” the ECI responded to social media posts by political figures, including RJD MP Manoj Jha, who had questioned the authenticity of the process and asked whether such acts were also to be considered misleading. In a public reply, the ECI directed users to a clarification issued by the Patna district administration.
The District Returning Officer-cum-District Magistrate of Patna, Tyagarajan S.M., confirmed that an internal investigation had been conducted, and statements were recorded from the concerned BLOs. Those named in the inquiry include Rani Kumari (Booth 226), Vijay Kumar (Booth 32), Sanjeet Kumar (Booth 224), Raj Kishore Singh (Booth 25), and Amit Kumar (Booth 260).
According to the administration, these officers were in the process of compiling lists of deceased voters and individuals who have permanently migrated out of Bihar. These lists are intended to be verified with Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from various political parties before finalisation to prevent the exclusion of any genuine voter.
Importantly, the administration noted that the viral video in question was recorded and circulated before the final draft of the electoral list was ready. For instance, Rani Kumari clarified that out of 878 voters at her booth, the partial list of 725 voters shown in the video had not been finalised at the time of filming.
The administration asserted that the BLOs were acting under the instructions of the District Returning Officer and within the procedural norms of the SIR process. The claims made in the video, it concluded, were misleading and failed to represent the ongoing work accurately.
In its statement, the district administration also cautioned journalists and content creators against publishing reports without verifying facts or seeking the administration’s version. It appealed to the public to remain vigilant against misinformation that could distort the democratic process.
The controversy erupted after the video titled “Caught on camera: BLO found filling and signing thousands of voter forms in Patna” was uploaded on July 16, leading to sharp political criticism and calls for action.
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Cong slams Modi govt as 'anti-worker', calls for review of new Labour code
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Friday accused the Modi government of being "anti-worker" and demanded that the new labour code be reviewed, MGNREGA be revived as well as a national minimum wage of Rs 400 per day be established.
On International Labour Day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took a swipe at the government and said unemployment in India today is a direct consequence of the 'Hum Do, Hamare Do' policies.
"Driven by the 'Hum Do, Hamare Do' policy, the Modi government implemented an anti-worker Labour Code. As a result, unrest has erupted everywhere - be it in Noida, at the IOCL facility in Panipat, Adani's factory in Raikheda, NTPC Patratu, or the Samsung factory in Sriperumbudur," Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X.
Instead of ensuring job security, this Code promotes policies such as contract labour and 'Hire & Fire' practices, Kharge said and called for a review of the new Labour Code.
The Modi government has effectively dismantled MGNREGA by forcibly pushing legislation through Parliament, he alleged.
"Mr. Modi has shifted 40% of the wage burden onto the State governments. State governments are unable to bear this financial strain and will eventually be forced to stop providing work," he claimed.
The Modi government has compelled workers into a state of unemployment and pushed them towards 'gig work', Kharge said.
Currently, 69% of the workforce is working for wages below the statutory minimum wage, he said.
The Modi government has engineered a crisis of stagnant wages, Kharge alleged.
"When adjusted for inflation, the wages of the majority of India's workers have grown by less than 1% annually over the last decade (from 2014-15 to 2022-23)," he said.
The Modi government has created a massive unemployment crisis among the educated workforce, specifically, among graduates, Kharge claimed and added that jobs have been eliminated through the sale of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
"The government has refused to fill approximately 30 lakh vacant government positions. Furthermore, the government's policy blunders have led to the decimation of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)," the Congress chief said.
The Congress reiterates its five demands for India's workers including revival of MGNREGA and its expansion to urban areas, Kharge said.
He said a national minimum wage of Rs 400 per day should be established, with MNREGA included within its scope.
Kharged demanded that a 'Right to Health' law must be enacted, providing Universal Health Coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh for laborers and workers.
"'Life Insurance and Accident Insurance' coverage must be provided for all unorganized workers. Preventing the contractualization of employment must be made a core priority of the government, and the new Labour Codes must be reviewed," Kharge asserted.
