Kolkata, 19 January (H.S.): Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandnephew Chandra Kumar Bose on Monday described the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll in West Bengal as necessary but alleged that it is not being carried out in a proper and transparent manner. He claimed that common citizens are being harassed in the name of the revision exercise, which he said lacks clarity.

After appearing before the Special Intensive Revision hearing, Bose termed the process “sheer harassment.” While acknowledging the importance of revising the electoral roll, he questioned the urgency and manner in which the exercise is being conducted, saying it has led to confusion and public dissatisfaction.

Bose, who had contested the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections and the 2019 Lok Sabha polls on Bharatiya Janata Party tickets, said that he appeared for the hearing on January 16 along with his wife and daughter. His two sons, who are currently abroad, had authorised them to represent them during the proceedings.

He said that all required and valid documents were submitted along with the enumeration forms by him and his family members, yet they were summoned for a hearing. According to Bose, election officials cited an issue related to linkage of documents, which he described as surprising.

Bose alleged that the entire process lacks a clear direction. He pointed out that authorities initially claimed his name was missing from the 2002 electoral roll, only to later confirm that it was present. Subsequently, despite submitting all necessary documents, officials raised objections citing a technical linkage problem.

Questioning the process, Bose asked who should be held accountable if the issue is purely technical. He clarified that his objection was not to being called for the hearing, but to what he described as an unstructured and opaque revision process that is causing unnecessary hardship to voters.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh