ECI Approves Tea Garden Records for Bengal Voter Rolls; BJP Hails "Major Victory"

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has approved tea garden and cinchona plantation employment records as valid identity and residence proof for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
• This approval applies to seven districts in northern West Bengal: Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, North Dinajpur, and South Dinajpur.
• The decision follows appeals from BJP leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, who highlighted concerns over voter exclusion among tea garden workers.
• Tea garden workers, largely from Adivasi and Gorkha communities, often face challenges in proving residency for voter enrollment.
• BJP leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Amit Malviya lauded the move as a significant victory for the neglected voices of North Bengal and a restoration of dignity and voting rights.

Why It Matters: ECI's approval of plantation records for voter ID in North Bengal is a win for BJP and local workers.