Guwahati, Jan 8: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday defended the ongoing Special Revision (SR) of electoral rolls in the state, asserting that identifying and removing “illegal Miyas” and non-citizens from voter lists is a key agenda of the BJP.

The integrated draft voter lists, published on December 30, show a 1.35% increase in electors, bringing the total to 2,52,01,624. Between January 6 and December 27, 2025, the revision process recorded 7,86,841 additions and 4,47,196 deletions. It also identified 4,78,992 deceased voters, 5,23,680 voters who had shifted, and 53,619 duplicate entries. Deletions will be finalized after claims are formally addressed during the ongoing period from December 27 to January 22, with campaigns held on January 3-4 and 10-11. The final voter lists are scheduled for publication on February 10.

Sarma told reporters, “Correct voter list is BJP’s agenda. Otherwise, what have we done to delete Bangladeshi names from voter lists? Retrieving land from Bangladeshis is our agenda.” He emphasized the importance of checking the inclusion of “illegal Miyas,” adding that voters supported the BJP for such actions.

The term “Miya,” often used pejoratively for Bengali-speaking Muslims perceived as Bangladeshi immigrants, has been reclaimed by some activists within the community.

The revision has sparked controversy after Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi alleged that BJP state chief and MP Dilip Saikia instructed leaders to remove 10,000 “anti-BJP” votes across 60 constituencies. Sarma dismissed the allegations, calling Gogoi an “entertainer” unaware of the rules, and urged citizens to use Election Commission forms 6, 7, and 8 for complaints. He detailed the process involving notices, replies, assistance from booth-level agents, and removals in cases of death or duplicates.

Sarma also appealed to the Congress party to assist in deleting deceased names, cautioning that opposition complaints could arise, citing past instances such as Rahul Gandhi’s claims on duplicate entries.

Addressing reporters, Dilip Saikia denied the allegations, calling Gogoi morally weak and accusing him, Assam Jatiya Parishad chief Lurinjyoti Gogoi, and Congress president Gaurav Gogoi of holding a “dangerous mindset” sympathetic to illegal immigrants.

Meanwhile, Congress leader of opposition Debabrata Saikia wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding a halt to the finalization of voter lists until the alleged irregularities are addressed.