Opposition Surges Ahead in Booth-Level Mobilisation During Bihar Voter Roll Revision Drive
New Delhi, July 27, 2025: Contrary to allegations of a lukewarm response, opposition parties have emerged as frontrunners in grassroots mobilisation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), over 1.60 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) were appointed by political parties between June 24 and July 25, marking a 16% overall increase from the start of the exercise.
The most dramatic surge came from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], which posted a whopping 1083% growth in BLA appointments — from a mere 76 to 899.
Close on its heels, the CPI(ML) Liberation registered a 542% spike, raising its tally from 233 to 1,496.
The Indian National Congress doubled its numbers, scaling from 8,586 to 17,549 BLAs, marking a 105% rise, further underlining its ground-level push.
RJD Shows Modest Change, BJP and JD(U) Hold Strong Base
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), despite being a key player in Bihar’s political landscape, showed only a 1% increase — from 47,143 to 47,506. While the number remains high, the static growth hints at a potential over-reliance on its existing organisational strength or internal constraints.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), already having a dominant booth-level infrastructure, saw a 3% rise, growing from 51,964 to 53,338 BLAs.
Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] recorded a moderate 31% jump, expanding its BLA strength from 27,931 to 36,550, signalling steady engagement ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls.
Opposition’s On-Ground Presence Belies Boycott Accusations
The data dismantles the narrative of an opposition boycott of the SIR process — a charge often levelled by political observers and rival parties.
On the contrary, it reveals active and strategic mobilisation by the INDIA Bloc, particularly by Congress, CPI(M), and CPIML, aiming to ensure accuracy in voter lists and strengthen their booth-level presence.
The timing of the SIR exercise — just months ahead of the crucial Bihar elections — has been a bone of contention, with opposition parties questioning the poll panel’s decision. However, the sheer scale of opposition participation demonstrates their readiness to engage and influence the electoral groundwork.
A Crucial Indicator of Poll Preparedness
BLA appointment figures are widely seen as a barometer of political preparedness, especially in states like Bihar where booth-level dynamics significantly influence electoral outcomes.
By increasing their on-ground presence, opposition parties have signalled strategic intent to challenge the BJP-led NDA in the upcoming polls — not just through rallies and campaigns but via voter list monitoring and mobilisation.
Final Thoughts by TheTrendingPeople
In a democracy, electoral readiness begins at the booth level. The latest figures from the SIR drive show that opposition parties are not only present but pushing harder than ever before to reclaim lost ground. This surge in Booth Level Agent appointments marks a return to grassroots politics, where elections are won one voter at a time.
Whether this renewed energy translates into ballots remains to be seen — but for now, the INDIA Bloc has sent a clear message: they’re in the fight, and they’re fighting smart.