BDO in West Bengal summoned for SIR hearing over missing name in 2002 electoral roll, fuels citizenship row

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A political row was triggered as the block development officer (BDO) of Lava block in West Bengal's Meteli was herself summoned for a special intensive revision (SIR) hearing.

In an unusual sight, Lava BDO Bharati Chik Baraik was seen standing in a queue with other citizens to attend the hearing. While BDOs across Bengal are entrusted with overseeing the SIR process, the summoning of a serving BDO for the same exercise has drawn sharp attention, according to a report by NDTV.

Baraik, along with her family, were issued notices as their names reportedly did not appear in the 2002 electoral roll.

The summons has provided a much needed ammunition to Opposition, who have been raising allegations of foreign citizenship.

Opposition leaders have claimed that the BDO's parents were citizens of Bhutan, which, according to them, explains the absence of their names in the 2002 voter list, according to NDTV.

However, Bharati Chik Baraik's family has denied all allegations, claiming they are Indian citizens.

Why are their names missing?

According to the BDO's family members, they earlier lived in the Juranti tea garden area and in 1999, bought land in Meteli Hospital Para locality, where they built a house. Their names were subsequently included in the voter list in 2004. The family claims that prior attempts to enroll in the voter list were unsuccessful, NDTV reported.

BJP reacts

Reacting to the issue, BJP Jalpaiguri district general secretary Chandan Dutta said that without the SIR process, such matters would not have come to light.

He said that under Trinamool Congress patronage, several individuals from other countries entered West Bengal, enrolled as voters, and even contested elections. He alleged the issue extended to officials as well, including BDOs.

He added that the Election Commission's action sent a clear message that the SIR process was being conducted impartially, without favouritism.

On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress district secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh accused the BJP and the Election Commission of harassing citizens. He said the issuance of a notice to a serving BDO demonstrated arbitrary functioning by the Election Commission.