Cong slams EC over exclusion of voters

Madhubani: Former Union minister Shakeel Ahmad has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of systematically attempting to disenfranchise marginalised communities in Bihar through what he described as "selective inclusion and removal" (SIR), officially termed special intensive revision.

He alleged that instead of fulfilling its constitutional duty to ensure free and fair elections, the commission was seeking to enable an "electoral autocracy" in favour of the BJP. Addressing a press conference in Madhubani on Sunday, Ahmad called upon Congress workers to mobilise in large numbers to welcome the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, along with RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and other INDIA bloc functionaries.

These netas are scheduled to enter Madhubani district near Bhutaha Chowk from Supaul on the morning of Aug 26.

Ahmad said the opposition leaders, who are spearheading the "Voter Adhikar Yatra" in Bihar, would traverse a wide area before entering Darbhanga district in the evening. He added that they were expected to address both roadside gatherings and larger meetings throughout the day-long march.