UP Assembly election: BJP writes to EC, seeks deployment of women cops for identification of burqa-clad women

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has written a letter to the chief election commissioner seeking deployment of women police personnel at the booths ahead of phase 6 and 7 polling in Uttar Pradesh for proper verification of women voters.

In the letter, the BJP has asked for deployment of more paramilitary forces at several booths in Mau and Balia fearing rigging.

Talking to India Today, BJP state vice president JPS Rathore said that the party had received widespread rigging reports from the workers on the ground in phase 1 and 2.

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Rathore, who sought deployment of women police personnel, indicated that often the policemen on duty did not verify the burqa-clad voters and in absence of female officers the verification of such voters was not possible.

On being asked why the BJP took so long in filing the complaint with the EC, the state vice president said, "The issue of rigging taking place on a large scale was raised in front of the local authorities and several names were taken out from the voter list. We were expecting the local authorities to take action in the matter. Since they did not act against the guilty, we approached the chief election commissioner".

The state has been witness to high voter turnout this time and primarily, women voters from the minority community have come out in large numbers to cast their vote.

The BJP was hopeful that its stand on triple talaq would translate to their benefit but now, the party is in grip of fear.

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