A political uproar is currently unfolding in Bihar, centered around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter lists. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav are alleging that the NDA government is engaging in voter suppression by manipulating the electoral rolls. Both are currently touring Bihar as part of a voter rights initiative, using the opportunity to criticize the central government and the Election Commission.
BJP National President JP Nadda has weighed in by sharing a video. The caption of the video included a sarcastic dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating, “I am still standing where my lie was caught, the truth came out, and I made a fool of myself… I am still standing there.” The video shared by Nadda features the woman who previously claimed to Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav that her family’s six members had been removed from the voter list; however, the video provides evidence that contradicts this claim.
During the voter rights campaign, a woman named Ranju Devi complained to Rahul Gandhi about her vote being removed. This complaint has been proven false. Investigations revealed that Ranju Devi and her family’s names are present in the voter list, and no members’ names have been removed.
Ranju Devi stated that her ward secretary had told her that her and her family’s names were not on the voter list. The secretary also told her to inform Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, who were visiting, about the issue. Consequently, she met the Congress leader and reported the alleged removal of her name.
Ranju Devi clarified that upon reviewing the voter list, she found her and her family’s names listed. She said she complained to Rahul Gandhi at the behest of the ward secretary. She explained that they are villagers who generally do as they are told. She said the secretary told her to inform Rahul Gandhi that six members of her family were missing from the new list. In the video, Rahul Gandhi asks Ranju Devi if she has voted before, and when she confirms that she has, he expresses his surprise, stating that the claim of a missing name does not make sense.
A social media user noted that the situation is becoming a PR disaster for Rahul Gandhi. The Election Commission had issued a 7-day ultimatum based on facts, and now people are exposing the falsity of the claims. The user stated that the entire event was a scripted PR campaign.