Former Tripura Chief Minister and senior CPI(M) leader Manik Sarkar on Monday alleged that the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) is a deliberate attempt to manipulate voter lists in favour of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Addressing a public meeting organised by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) in support of the proposed nationwide strike on February 12, Sarkar claimed that the ECI was acting under the influence of the BJP. He alleged that in areas where the SIR exercise is underway, names of voters identified as supporters of opposition parties are being systematically deleted from the electoral rolls.
Sarkar further alleged that the affected voters largely belong to disadvantaged sections of society, including religious minorities, Scheduled Castes, and economically weaker communities. He described the exercise as “overtly partisan” and said such attempts to disenfranchise voters must be resisted through political struggle on the ground.
Launching a sharp attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sarkar criticized the language used by him during election campaigns. He alleged that the Assam CM had openly issued threats against religious minorities and encouraged harassment of Muslims through social and economic boycotts. Sarkar expressed concern over the silence of the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister on the issue, stating that such remarks have shocked the nation.
Turning to labour issues, Sarkar strongly criticised the three new labour codes enacted by the Centre. He claimed that these laws would severely weaken the rights of workers by curtailing collective bargaining powers and removing the obligation on employers to ensure just and humane working conditions. According to him, the extension of working hours without provisions for overtime reflects the government’s pro-corporate approach.
Sarkar alleged that the government is rushing to implement the new labour laws under pressure from “crony capitalist” interests. Senior CITU leader Manik Dey, Sankar Prasad Datta, and others also addressed the rally, voicing support for the nationwide strike.
