Lalji Verma, SP MP from Ambedkar Nagar Lok Sabha constituency, has accused the police of intimidating voters, particularly those from the Muslim, Kurmi, and Yadav communities. He alleged that the police are distributing “red slips” to these voters to prevent them from casting their votes in the by-election.
In a letter addressed to the Superintendent of Police, Verma claimed that SP workers and voters are being harassed and denied their right to vote due to these red slips. He described the actions as “fatal for a healthy democracy.” Verma’s wife, Shobhavati Verma, is the SP candidate for the Katehari seat, which became vacant following Lalji Verma’s resignation after being elected to the Lok Sabha.
Verma also expressed his loss of faith in the police, stating that he had been offered additional security but had decided to return his personal gunner. “I was confident that you would curb this, but you are creating fear to benefit the BJP,” Verma wrote in the letter. “Especially minority voters are being intimidated so that they are unable to vote. I am returning the existing gunner because I have lost faith in the police.”
In response to the allegations, SP’s District President Jang Bahadur Yadav accused the administration of fostering an atmosphere of fear, particularly in Muslim-dominated areas, through the distribution of red slips. Yadav claimed that red slips were being handed out to voters in these areas, and booth presidents were being summoned to ensure compliance.
The district administration has denied the allegations, with police officials clarifying that the red slips are issued under Section 168 of the Indian Civil Security Code. According to the police, the slips are being used to identify and remove anti-social elements from polling areas to ensure the election process remains smooth and orderly.
