Yogi Adityanath Claims 1.27 Crore Hindus Missing from UP Voter Lists
Uttar Pradesh CM highlights significant gaps in electoral rolls, urging party workers to act.
1.27 crore Hindus reportedly missing from electoral rolls in UP.
66 lakh names from panchayat rolls and 55 lakh welfare beneficiaries absent.
Only 4 lakh new voters added in the last revision, with over 2 crore removed.
During a recent meeting of the BJP's state executive committee, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath raised alarms about the absence of 1.27 crore Hindus from the electoral rolls. He emphasized the importance of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists and called upon party workers to remain vigilant in ensuring that all eligible voters are accounted for.
Adityanath's concerns stem from the belief that the missing names could undermine the party's standing in 28 urban local body constituencies. He cited demographic data indicating that Uttar Pradesh should have a voter base exceeding 16 crore, yet the current figures show only about 13 crore registered voters. This discrepancy raises questions about the integrity of the electoral process in the state.
In addition to the 1.27 crore missing Hindus, Adityanath pointed out that 66 lakh individuals listed in panchayat electoral rolls are not found in the Assembly constituency lists. Furthermore, he mentioned that 55 lakh beneficiaries of government welfare schemes are also absent from the electoral rolls. Alarmingly, around 4.5 lakh young voters aged 18-19 have not been registered, which could affect future electoral participation.
The Chief Minister expressed frustration over the previous SIR exercise, which resulted in only 4 lakh new voters being added to the rolls. He instructed BJP workers to collaborate with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to ensure comprehensive inclusion of eligible voters. Additionally, MPs, MLAs, and party officials have been tasked with the responsibility of verifying that Hindu voters are properly registered.
The implications of these findings are significant for the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh. Following the SIR exercise, over 2.04 crore voters were removed from the electoral rolls, predominantly affecting urban areas and disproportionately impacting women voters. Despite this, more than 84 lakh new voters were added, bringing the total electorate to approximately 13,39,84,792, according to the Election Commission of India. As the political climate evolves, the BJP's efforts to address these discrepancies will be crucial in the lead-up to future elections.
