Odisha's Biju Janata Dal Joins Opposition Rally Against Voter Deletion Claims
The Biju Janata Dal sent several MPs to Delhi to protest Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged mass voter deletions in Odisha.
In an unexpected shift, the Biju Janata Dal, traditionally aligned with the BJP-led NDA, joined an opposition protest in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s SIR exercise. Party representatives, including Rajya Sabha members Manas Mangaraj and Sulata Deo as well as former MP Muzibulla Khan, marched from Parliament to Akashvani Bhavan, citing the alleged deletion of more than 2.75 million voters, many from a minority community in Dhamnagar, Odisha.
Lenin Mohanty, the party’s media coordinator, emphasized the party’s duty to safeguard the welfare of 45 million Odias and the integrity of the electoral process. The protest was bolstered by a Supreme Court clarification that it had not ordered any amendment to Form 6, contradicting the CEC’s claim. Naveen Patnaik, BJD president, has publicly demanded the resignation of the chief election commissioner. While the BJD maintains a neutral stance between the INDIA bloc and the NDA, its participation signals growing concern over the credibility of India’s voter rolls.
Why it matters
The move signals a realignment in Indian politics and raises questions about the credibility of the voter registration process.
How this story developed
- Sep 23 Election Commission denies internal dissent, says all decisions were unanimous
- Sep 23 Congress senior filed a petition urging the Supreme Court to intervene and summon the Election Commission members.
- Sep 25 A Supreme Court petition seeking criminal prosecution of the chief election commissioner was filed.
- Sep 26 The Election Commission announced that Booth Level Officers will visit voters flagged in the SIR to collect supporting documents, with online hearings and additional help desks to be established.
- Sep 27 Opposition parties announced nationwide rallies and a parliamentary motion to force the CEC’s resignation following the removal of over 130 million voter names.
- Oct 2 The Cockroach Janata Party and a coalition of student activists will protest in Mumbai and New Delhi, calling for Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to step down over disputed voter-list changes.
- Oct 2 The Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition questioning the Election Commission’s decision‑making next week.
- Oct 3 Delhi police lodged three FIRs following a protest at Jantar Mantar calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged voter roll issues.
- Oct 4 The Supreme Court will hear petitions on Oct 5 seeking the suspension of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid a dispute over the special intensive revision exercise.
- Oct 5 Delhi police deployed roughly 5,000 officers and paramilitary units ahead of two anti‑CEC marches.
- Oct 5 CJP members began a sit‑in demanding an FIR against ACP Vivek Bhagat after police said the case is under Crime Branch inquiry.
- Oct 5 The court issued a notice to the Election Commission and the Centre after refusing to suspend the chief election commissioner.
- Oct 6 Opposition MPs including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were briefly detained during a protest march toward the Election Commission.
- Oct 7 Cockroach Janta Party filed a formal notice with Delhi police about an Oct 10 Jantar Mantar protest demanding the CEC’s resignation.
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