Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 27: Rais Shaikh, Samajwadi Party MLA from Bhiwandi East, has called for the immediate formation of a Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising all opposition parties to monitor and ensure transparency in the proposed “Special Intensive Revision” (SIR) process in Maharashtra.
Shaikh urged that an emergency meeting be convened during the ongoing Budget Session of the state legislature to hold a detailed discussion and chalk out a concrete action plan.
In a letter addressed to Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal, NCP (SP) state president Shashikant Shinde, and Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT), Shaikh emphasised the need for coordinated opposition action to safeguard fairness in the implementation of the SIR process.
“During the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, there is a possibility of serious irregularities in its execution. The names of minority communities, marginalised sections and other ordinary citizens could be unlawfully removed from the voters’ list,” Shaikh said.
Citing past instances where similar complaints had surfaced in different regions, he stressed that transparency, legal accuracy and justice must be ensured throughout the revision exercise.
Shaikh proposed that the JAC should oversee the SIR process, collect complaints, initiate necessary legal measures and provide continuous guidance to party workers and local leadership. He also reiterated the need for a detailed discussion within the legislature during the current session to finalise a coordinated strategy.
Among the measures suggested by him are the creation of a monitoring mechanism to prevent arbitrary deletion of names from electoral rolls, constituency-level guidance for party workers, public awareness campaigns about voter rights, provision of legal assistance where required, and a comprehensive legal review to ensure the process adheres strictly to established rules.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has constituted its own committee to monitor the SIR process in the state. The panel includes senior leader Kirit Somaiya among other party functionaries.