TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee Criticizes Voter ID-Aadhaar Linkage, Questions Effectiveness

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee on Wednesday criticized the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) move to link Voter ID (EPIC) with Aadhaar, arguing that it fails to address the real issue of duplicate voter entries.

"The concept of linking Aadhaar with Voter ID will not solve the problem raised by us. We (TMC) have said that against one EPIC card, there are three to four voters," Banerjee said. He pointed out the inefficiencies in Aadhaar enrolment, stating, "If you go to any Aadhaar centre, you will find long queues there… Linking Aadhaar is a good concept, but it is not the only rational concept."

The TMC leader also cited the Supreme Court’s ruling that Aadhaar cannot be made mandatory except for government subsidies, questioning the legal validity of the linkage. "The Supreme Court has also clarified that Aadhaar can only be mandatory where government subsidies are involved. The government has failed to issue Aadhaar cards to every citizen," he added.