Mumbai: Drawing a clear line ahead of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the BJP has directed its just one-month-old corporators in Mumbai to scrutinise voter rolls at the micro level and ensure none of its supporters is left out, signalling an aggressive build-up to the exercise. A meeting was held at the BMC headquarters on Monday afternoon to discuss the matter, which was addressed by former MP Kirit Somaiya.Somaiya, who has been appointed by the state unit as chairman of a nine-member committee to oversee the SIR, briefed corporators on their role in closely scrutinising voter lists at the ward level, ensuring inclusion of all eligible voters and flagging discrepancies.According to the corporators present, the session focused on the mechanics of the SIR process and the party’s role in it. “We were told to closely scrutinise the lists, ensure all genuine voters are included, and raise objections wherever required or in case we notice that someone is not eligible to be added to the list,” a corporator said, adding that party workers would also reach out to residents in housing societies, especially the secretary and chairman, to facilitate corrections and registrations.The BJP, which has the largest number of elected corporators in the civic house, has been actively raising concerns over alleged illegalities in the issuance of birth certificates since coming to power. Party leaders, including Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde of the BJP and Somaiya, have flagged issues such as the alleged issuance of birth certificates to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, which they claim could enable them to obtain legal status. They have also raised concerns over the growing presence of unauthorised hawkers occupying public spaces across the city.Party leaders said the exercise, conducted by the Election Commission of India, is being treated with urgency, with instructions to engage with residents, facilitate corrections and registrations, and strengthen booth-level coordination. BJP party leader in BMC Ganesh Khankar said the organisation has been fully mobilised under Somaiya’s leadership. “We are taking this very seriously. We were thoroughly explained how we, as corporators, can participate in this activity,” he said.The SIR, a comprehensive door-to-door verification of electoral rolls, aims to remove duplicate, deceased or shifted voters while adding missing eligible names, making it a critical process ahead of upcoming elections.
