BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has accused the Punjab government of political vendetta after his name was marked as “shifted” in the state’s draft electoral roll during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Chadha, who was earlier an AAP leader and switched to the BJP in April along with six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, has been registered as a voter in Mohali. He alleged that officials involved in the electoral process were acting under political pressure from the state government.
According to Chadha, booth-level officers, assistant electoral registration officers and other election officials were responsible for classifying his name as “shifted”. He claimed that these officials were aware that the Punjab government could influence their transfers, postings and careers after their election-related duties ended.
Chadha alleged that the state’s administrative and police machinery had also been used against former AAP lawmakers who joined the BJP. He accused the AAP leadership of targeting those who had left the party and alleged that government agencies were being used for political revenge.
The Punjab Chief Electoral Officer’s office declined to comment on the political allegations but said there was no reason for concern at this stage. An official pointed out that the current electoral roll is only a draft and assured that any genuine omission would be corrected through the prescribed procedure.
The AAP government has strongly rejected Chadha’s allegations. The party said the Special Intensive Revision is being conducted by the Election Commission of India and that the Punjab government has no role in the exercise.
AAP also alleged that Chadha was attempting to register himself as a voter in Delhi through a backdated process and was now trying to shift the blame onto the Punjab government.
The controversy comes amid heightened political tensions over the revision of electoral rolls. Chadha’s allegations and the AAP’s counterclaims have put the spotlight on the process of identifying voters who have reportedly shifted residence.
Since the current list is still a draft, the final status of Chadha’s name will depend on verification and the completion of the electoral roll revision process. The Election Commission’s due process will ultimately determine whether his name is restored, retained under another category or removed from the Punjab roll.
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