Prashant Kishor Seeks Voter List Deletion in Bengal After EC Notice
Jan Suraaj founder moves to remove his name from West Bengal rolls amid dual voter registration row
- EC sent a notice to Prashant Kishor for being listed as a voter in Bihar and West Bengal.
- Kishor submitted an application on October 25 for deletion of his Bengal voter entry.
- He questioned EC’s action, saying his name has been in Bihar’s Karakat since 2019.
- Kishor reiterated Jan Suraaj will contest Bihar polls independently.
GG News Bureau
Patna, 1st Nov: Days after receiving a notice from the Election Commission over his name appearing in voter lists of two states, Jan Suraaj party founder Prashant Kishor has filed an application seeking deletion of his name from the West Bengal rolls, according to EC sources.
Officials said the application was submitted on October 25, just two days before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was announced in the state. The move came after reports revealed that Kishor’s name appeared as a voter in Ward 621 of the Maniktala Assembly segment in North Kolkata, as well as in Bihar’s Karakat constituency.
In its October 28 notice, the Election Commission cited Section 17 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which prohibits a person from being registered in more than one constituency. The EC warned that violation of this provision could lead to penal action, including imprisonment or fine.
Responding swiftly, Kishor accused the poll body of inaction during the SIR in Bihar and challenged it to take action if he was at fault. “If my name appears in two voter lists, the Election Commission should explain why it wasn’t deleted when SIR was effected in Bihar. If it’s my fault, arrest me,” he said.
The Jan Suraaj founder, who aims to project his party as a third front in Bihar politics, said during the NDTV Bihar Power Play Conclave that his outfit will contest independently, either “doing very well or very badly,” predicting results ranging from below 10 to over 150 seats out of 243.
He further asserted that Jan Suraaj would not ally with any bloc even if it failed to secure a mandate, adding, “I can give this in writing.” When asked to do so, Kishor signed the written pledge on stage.
