Kerala UDF Vows to Block BJP’s Controversial Voter Purge

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala has launched a fierce offensive against the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, branding it a “BJP tactic” to undermine free and fair elections. Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, addressing reporters in Kochi on Saturday, vowed that the UDF would strongly resist any attempts to implement SIR in the state, warning that it could disenfranchise countless voters who have been casting ballots for over two decades.

Satheesan alleged that the SIR, last conducted in Kerala in 2002, aims to revert the voter list to its 2002 status, potentially removing long-standing voters from the rolls. “This is a deliberate move to manipulate the electoral process,” he charged, accusing the BJP of orchestrating the revision to gain an unfair advantage in upcoming elections. He promised widespread protests across Kerala, drawing parallels to the fierce demonstrations seen in Bihar against similar voter list purges.

The Election Commission of India recently announced that a decision on rolling out SIR nationwide is imminent, with the exercise to clean up voter lists likely to occur before the year’s end. With five assembly elections, including Kerala’s, scheduled for 2026, the SIR could be implemented in the coming months, according to officials. The revision aims to update and purify electoral rolls, but critics like Satheesan argue it risks excluding legitimate voters, particularly those from marginalized or opposition-leaning communities.

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The UDF’s stance has ignited a political firestorm in Kerala, where electoral integrity is a deeply sensitive issue. Satheesan emphasized that the opposition would mobilize grassroots campaigns to protect the democratic rights of citizens, ensuring no eligible voter is unfairly removed. “We will fight this tooth and nail, just as we’ve seen in other states where such tactics have been challenged,” he declared.

The controversy comes at a critical juncture, with Kerala’s political landscape already charged ahead of the 2026 polls. The UDF, led by Congress, sees the SIR as a potential threat to its voter base, particularly in a state where it competes fiercely with the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the BJP. Political analysts suggest the opposition’s aggressive response could galvanize public support, framing the SIR as an attack on democratic principles.

As the Election Commission prepares to finalize the SIR timeline, all eyes are on Kerala, where the UDF’s promised protests could escalate tensions. Satheesan’s call to action signals a turbulent period ahead, with the opposition determined to safeguard the state’s electoral integrity against what it perceives as a calculated political maneuver.

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