In Uttar Pradesh, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has impacted the Bharatiya Janata Party by removing 2.04 crore names from the electoral rolls. Analysis of the data reveals a notable increase in revisions in BJP strongholds compared to areas dominated by Muslim voters.
The state has experienced a 13.24% reduction in the overall voter base, marking the second-highest deletion rate after Gujarat. Notably, Lucknow witnessed the highest voter deletions at around 23%, followed by Ghaziabad with over 20% decrease in its electorate. Kanpur, Noida, and Meerut also saw reductions of approximately 18-19% each. In terms of numbers, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Agra, and Ghaziabad were the districts with the highest deletions.
Conversely, districts with significant Muslim populations, such as Bijnor, Moradabad, and Saharanpur, recorded lower deletions ranging from 10 to 12%, below the state average. Even in Muzaffarnagar, where Muslims make up nearly 40% of the population, voter deletions were notably lower than the state average.
Overall, voter deletions in BJP strongholds averaged over 20%, while in Muslim-dominated districts, the reductions were between 10 to 12%. Despite the BJP’s advocacy for electoral roll revisions nationwide, the data from Uttar Pradesh may prompt the party to reconsider its electoral approach leading up to the 2027 Assembly elections.