TDP urged the Election Commission to take technical measures to remove duplicate names from the voter list, implement a biometric system, and include migrant laborers.
Bihar: In the country's politics, adhering to coalition principles is as essential as prioritizing public concerns. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key ally of the NDA coalition, recently exemplified this balance. Initially, the TDP raised some objections regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process being conducted by the Election Commission in Bihar, causing a stir in political circles. However, the party quickly clarified that their concerns were related to Andhra Pradesh, not Bihar. They also made it clear that they were fully adhering to the NDA's coalition principles.
Initial Reaction to Bihar's SIR Process
On Tuesday, the TDP submitted a four-page letter to the Election Commission (ECI), questioning certain aspects of the SIR process. The party stated that the purpose of this process should be clear and kept separate from procedures like confirming citizenship. The letter also mentioned that the SIR process should be completed at least six months before the election to allow voters to prepare in time. It also emphasized ensuring that people do not face harassment in the process of registering their names in the voter list.
Then a Change of Stance, Clarifying Their Position
However, as soon as this letter appeared in the media, there was a stir in Bihar's politics. Opposition parties felt that the TDP was signaling disagreement within the NDA. But before this issue could gain further traction, TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu came forward and clarified the situation. He said, "The discussions with the ECI were entirely related to Andhra Pradesh. We have nothing to do with the Bihar process. The suggestions we made were aimed at improving the voter list in Andhra."
An Example of Coalition Principles
This clarification from the TDP is not just a formality of words but an example of restraint and balance in coalition politics. The party stated that it is a part of the NDA and is fully committed to this relationship. At the same time, they also clarified that they will not hesitate to speak out on issues of public interest. They believe that the process of registering names in the voter list should be simple so that no citizen has to make repeated visits.
What Did the TDP's National Spokesperson Say?
TDP's National Spokesperson Jyothsna Tirunagari said, "The suggestions we made to the ECI were only for Andhra Pradesh. Our concerns were that the same person's name appears multiple times in the voter list, duplicate entries should be removed, and technologies like biometrics should be used. Migrant laborers should also not be deprived of their right to vote." She further stated that the TDP wants political workers to be involved in the process of updating the voter list to ensure transparency.
This Step Comes Before the Monsoon Session
The timing of the TDP's distancing from this issue is also quite significant. The Parliament's Monsoon Session is about to begin, and at such a time, the party does not want any cracks to appear in the NDA or give the opposition a chance to attack. This also indicates that the TDP currently does not want any conflict in the coalition and wants to maintain balance in its stance.
TDP's suggestions for technical improvements.
The TDP suggested to the Election Commission that modern technology should be used to remove duplicate names from the voter list and biometric information should be included in the voter ID. At the same time, they also said that migrant laborers should have easy access to name registration facilities and the participation of political workers should also be ensured in this entire process, so that transparency is maintained.
