Congress MP Claims Voter Lists in Bihar Are Being Tampered With—Here’s Why It Matters
So, Congress MP Manickam Tagore just dropped a bombshell. He’s accusing the Election Commission of playing favorites in Bihar—specifically, that they’re wiping out voters from opposition areas while turning a blind eye to others. If true? Well, that’s not just sketchy. It’s a direct hit to what makes elections fair. And let’s be real, in a country as massive as India, keeping things fair isn’t just important—it’s everything.
Who Even Is Manickam Tagore?
Okay, quick background. Tagore’s this firebrand Congress MP from Tamil Nadu who’s been shouting about election fairness for years. Three-time MP, doesn’t back down. The guy’s got a track record of calling out shady stuff—like that time in 2019 when voter registrations “mysteriously” vanished before state polls. Sound familiar? That’s the thing with him—he spots patterns.
The Bihar Situation: What’s Actually Happening?
Here’s the deal. The Election Commission runs these “clean-up drives” to remove fake or duplicate voters. Standard procedure, right? But Tagore says—and this is the worrying part—that in Bihar, they’re mainly targeting areas packed with Dalits, Muslims, and poor migrants. Places that traditionally don’t vote for the ruling party. Coincidence? He doesn’t think so. And honestly, given what went down in Telangana a few years back—where thousands just disappeared from voter rolls—it’s hard to shrug this off.
How the System’s Supposed to Work (And Where It Breaks)
In theory, officials match voter IDs with local records. Mismatch? You’re out. But here’s the catch: there’s no real transparency in how they decide what counts as a “mismatch.” No public logs, no clear appeals process. It’s like your phone company cutting your service because “our system says so”—no explanation, just gone. The EC swears they’re neutral, but when deletions cluster in certain areas… well, you tell me.
Politics, Obviously
Congress wants parliament to debate this yesterday. RJD and Left leaders are nodding vigorously. BJP? They’re calling it “fake news.” But here’s what’s wild—this isn’t even about parties. It’s about whether your grandma’s vote counts the same as your rich neighbor’s. And lately? Feels like the scales are tipping.
This Isn’t New—That’s the Scary Part
Remember Assam’s “Doubtful Voters” list that mostly hit Muslims? Or UP villages where Dalit names kept vanishing? India’s got a bad habit of “cleaning” voter lists right before big elections. Always seems to hit the same groups. Funny how that works.
Why Your Morning Chai Should Taste Bitter Today
Let me put it this way: democracy isn’t a Bollywood movie where the hero always wins. It’s fragile. When votes get erased, it’s not just numbers—it’s rickshaw drivers, factory workers, single moms losing their say. And once that starts? The whole “power to the people” thing becomes a bad joke.
What Now?
The EC could investigate—but will they? Parliament should grill them, but will they? Honestly, I’m not holding my breath. This is one of those times where regular folks need to yell louder. Check your voter status. Pester your local office. Because if we wait for politicians to fix this… well, good luck with that.
Bottom Line
Tagore might be right, might be wrong. But the fact that we’re even having this conversation? That tells you everything. Democracy’s not a spectator sport. Either we get in the game, or we get played.
FAQs (Because You Probably Have Questions)
How do I check if I’m still registered?
EC website or your local election office. Takes five minutes. Do it.
What if my name’s gone?
You can complain, but bring snacks—it’s gonna take a while.
Does this happen often?
Before every major election like clockwork. Surprise.
Sources Worth a Look
- Tagore’s full speech (dude doesn’t mince words)
- EC’s rulebook on voter clean-ups (bring a magnifying glass)
- That Telangana mess from 2018 (history repeats)
Source: Times of India – Main
