'Vote theft has taken a deadly turn...': Kharge slams BJP over BLO suicides during SIR

Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday sharply criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) after multiple reports surfaced of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) dying by suicide amid workload pressure during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The controversy gained momentum after the death of a BLO in Kerala’s Kannur district was followed by a similar case in West Bengal. A media report shared by Kharge suggested that as many as 16 BLOs have died across six states while engaged in SIR-related duties.

Calling the situation a “deadly turn” in what he described as BJP-led electoral malpractice, Kharge said the government was putting administrative workers under excessive pressure. In a post shared on X, he wrote. “The BJP's vote theft has now taken a deadly turn. Overburdened with workload, BLOs and Polling Officers are being driven to suicide. To every family that has lost its loved ones, my deepest condolences.”

Kharge alleged that the number of cases may be higher than currently reported and questioned the silence of the Election Commission. He further compared the implementation of the SIR process to earlier nationwide measures such as demonetisation and the COVID-19 lockdown, which had drawn criticism for poor planning and execution.

“The hasty, forced implementation of SIR without any planning brings back memories of demonetization and the COVID lockdown,” he wrote.

According to the report cited in his post, four deaths each were recorded in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, followed by three in West Bengal, two in Rajasthan and one each in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Kharge further alleged that the BJP’s approach to elections is costing lives, framing the issue as a direct attack on democratic institutions.

“Abusing power to force institutions into suicides, tearing the Constitution to shreds, and weakening democracy, this is the consequence of the BJP's hunger for power,” he wrote, urging the public to oppose the SIR exercise.

The remarks have intensified political tensions, particularly in West Bengal, where the death of BLO Shanti Muni Ekka triggered demands for accountability. Responding to the developments, West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose said the matter would be examined with caution and without political reaction.

“In such a situation, it is better to avoid a knee-jerk reaction. What the Chief Minister said has to be examined in detail. I am sure we have an Election Commission which is strong enough and has a balanced outlook,” he said, adding that the priority must remain ensuring “free and fair elections in this country.”

The Special Intensive Revision exercise is currently underway in 12 states and Union territories, after it was successfully completed in Bihar before the Assembly elections in the state.