Burqa Row Erupts as BJP, RJD Unite on Bihar Polls
BJP demands one or two-phase elections, sparks controversy over voter ID checks for burqa-clad women
- BJP, RJD both urge EC to hold polls in fewer phases after Chhath festival
- BJP calls for strict verification of burqa-clad women voters, RJD terms it a “political conspiracy”
- Parties demand early deployment of paramilitary forces in vulnerable areas
- RJD raises concerns over voter roll deletions, seeks restraint on populist schemes
GG News Bureau
Patna, 4th Oct: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), bitter political rivals in Bihar, found rare common ground on Saturday by urging the Election Commission (EC) to conduct the upcoming Assembly elections in one or two phases. However, a controversy erupted after the BJP demanded stricter verification of burqa-clad women voters against their voter ID photographs.
Following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, state BJP president Dilip Jaiswal said, “We have urged the Election Commission to conduct the elections in one or two phases. Also, tallying of faces of voters, especially burqa-clad women, must be ensured with respective EPIC cards so that only genuine voters exercise their franchise.”
The remark drew sharp criticism from RJD’s Lok Sabha leader Abhay Kushwaha, who called it a “political conspiracy.” He argued that a recent Special Intensive Revision had already updated electoral rolls with new photographs, making identification easier.
Yet, like the BJP, the RJD also pressed for elections to be held in fewer phases, preferably after the Chhath festival in early November. Kushwaha was joined by party spokespersons Chitaranjan Gagan and Mukund Singh in placing the demands before the EC.
Smaller parties, including Union Minister Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and CPI(ML) Liberation, echoed the call for non-staggered polls.
The BJP further demanded early deployment of paramilitary forces in villages with large populations of weaker sections and in riverine areas prone to booth capturing. Jaiswal suggested flag marches to instil voter confidence. Meanwhile, the RJD sought an official list of sensitive polling stations to circulate among its cadres.
The RJD also demanded that the EC ensure timely distribution of Form 17C (polling data sheets) to prevent disputes, and sought details of 3.66 lakh voters whose names were recently deleted from the electoral rolls. Additionally, the party urged the Commission to restrain the Nitish Kumar government from making “populist announcements without budgetary backing” and to curb personal attacks during campaigns.
The EC, which is on a two-day Bihar tour, assured parties that impartiality, law and order, and voter confidence would remain top priorities as it prepares to announce election dates.
