BJP MP Raghav Chadha has alleged that the AAP government in Punjab is using electoral machinery for political revenge after his name was marked as 'shifted' in draft rolls. AAP has countered by accusing Chadha of attempting fraudulent voter registration in Delhi.

  • MP Raghav Chadha claims his Punjab voter status was changed to 'shifted' due to political pressure.
  • Chadha alleges AAP is using state officials to target political opponents.
  • AAP denies involvement, stating the Election Commission manages rolls, not the state government.
  • AAP accuses Chadha of trying to use 'backdated processes' for Delhi registration.

In a major political escalation, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab of orchestrating a campaign of political vendetta. The controversy erupted after Chadha's name was classified as "shifted" in the draft electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, despite his voter ID being registered in Mohali, Punjab.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Chadha asserted that this was not a mere clerical error but a deliberate attempt by the ruling party to target him. He highlighted that because officials from the Booth Level Officer (BLO) to the Chief Electoral Officer are part of the state cadre, they are susceptible to political pressure regarding their transfers and postings.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this confrontation touches upon a sensitive nerve in Indian democracy: the perceived independence of the electoral machinery from state executive influence. When high-profile political figures challenge the integrity of voter rolls, it raises significant questions about the safeguards protecting public representatives during revision exercises.

"The allegation of using administrative machinery for political retribution can significantly erode public trust in the local electoral process."

The AAP has hit back aggressively, characterizing the allegations as a diversionary tactic. A spokesperson for the party clarified that the state government has no authority over the inclusion or deletion of names in the rolls, as that responsibility rests solely with the Election Commission. Furthermore, AAP claimed that Chadha has been residing in Delhi and was attempting to manipulate his registration through a "backdated process."

Chadha, who moved from AAP to the BJP in April, cited specific Election Commission guidelines. He pointed out that under Paragraph 4(d) of the SIR guidelines, public representatives like MPs and MLAs are supposed to be included in a "protected list" to ensure their details are correctly captured during the claims and objections period. He argued that this protocol was willfully violated in his case.

Did You Know?: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a rigorous process designed to clean up voter databases by identifying moved, deceased, or duplicate entries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does 'marked as shifted' mean in voter rolls?
It indicates that the electoral authorities believe the person has moved from their registered address to a new location.

2. Can the state government change voter lists?
No, the legal authority to manage and update electoral rolls lies with the Election Commission of India, not state governments.