Trinamool raises duplicate voters' ID cards issue

Lok Sabha members of Trinamool Congress on Monday raised the issue of duplicate electoral photo identity cards and sought a complete revision of the rolls even as BJP accused the Trinamool government of West Bengal of enrolling Bangladeshi Muslims and Rohingyas in the state's electoral roll.

In his brief intervention, leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi urged the Speaker to facilitate a discussion on the issue of alleged irregularities in the electoral roll, saying the Opposition is concerned about it.

Trinamool MPs Saugata Roy and Kalyan Banerjee said West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had shown the same EPIC numbers in the voters' list in West Bengal and Haryana and that it was a matter of concern.


Roy said: "This shows serious flaws, pointed out earlier with regard to Maharashtra and Haryana. They are preparing for a jump in the Bengal and Assam polls next year. Total voters' list should be revised," he said. A Trinamool delegation, he added, will meet the chief election commissioner on Tuesday. Speaker Om Birla said, "government is not preparing voters' list, it is the job of EC."

In his brief intervention, Gandhi told the Speaker: "Question is being raised on voters' list in every state. In Maharashtra, questions were raised about voters' lists. The entire Opposition is just saying that there should be a discussion in the House on the voters' list. I urge you to hold a discussion." In a statement, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also sought a debate in Parliament on the alleged irregularities in electoral roll.

BJP MP from West Bengal, Saumitra Khan, alleged the Trinamool establishment was indulging in illegal enrolment in the state electoral roll. "(It) is forcing local administration bodies to enrol Bangladeshi Muslims and Rohingyas in electoral rolls of the border districts. I request the home ministry to look into it."

Rahul, Priyanka Meet Speaker

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met with Speaker Om Birla at the latter's chamber. Congress circles said it was a courtesy call.

A 'legacy EPIC issue'

Later in the day, ECI sources indicated that duplicate EPIC number is a legacy issue and even during 2008-2013, duplicate EPIC numbers were issued. The poll panel has been directing states to remove all discrepancies in EPIC numbers, the sources indicated.