Kolkata, 03 March (H.S.) : The inclusion of former legislator Jahangir Karim in the “under consideration” category of the voter list has triggered controversy in West Midnapore district following the publication of the Special Intensive Revision list. Karim, a former MLA from Debra and a leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), along with his wife Asfalun Begum Nehar, has been placed under the pending verification category.

Karim said on Tuesday that he had appeared for a hearing and submitted all necessary documents, including pension papers from his former school employment, but his name was still kept in the “under consideration” category of the electoral roll. He added that he has been voting continuously since 1977.

According to Karim, he first won the Panchayat Samiti election in 1978 and served as the public works functionary of the Debra Panchayat Samiti. He again won the Panchayat election in 1983 and later served as an MLA for five consecutive terms from 1987 to 2011 from the Debra Assembly constituency.

A resident of Mainan village under Debra police station limits, Karim is registered as a voter at Booth No. 164 of Mainan Primary School. The development has sparked discussions at the local level, while Karim said he is uncertain about the current situation and is considering his next course of action.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh