DMK, allies oppose EC's move to add 6.5 lakh voters from Bihar in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: DMK and its allies have opposed the decision of Election Commission to register migrant workers in the states of their domicile, alleging that inclusion of migrants from north India in the Tamil Nadu voter list would alter political landscape of the state.

The apprehension arose after EC explained that 65 lakh voters missing in the draft poll roll for Bihar after the first phase of SIR had died, or were registered in two locations, or had permanently migrated out of Bihar.

DMK general secretary Duraimurugan told reporters in Vellore, "Giving the guest workers voter IDs in Tamil Nadu will result in political change in the future."

Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi founder T Velmurugan said, "It is shocking that 6.5 lakh guest workers from Bihar were already added to Tamil Nadu voters list. Lakhs of guest workers are already working in Tamil Nadu, and this is a challenge to the culture and tradition of the soil."

VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan urged CM M K Stalin to convene an all-party meeting to address the issue. Tamil Nadu, which will face assembly election next year, will also undergo SIR soon, and there are chances that lakhs of guest workers from other states will be added to the voters list, said Thirumavalavan. "This will change the entire political scenario in the state," he told reporters.

NTK coordinator Seeman said, "Trying to convert people from north India into voters of Tamil Nadu is a great injustice to Tamil people."