Purnea (Bihar) [India], November 6 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Thursday that the demographic issue is not a "political, but an identity issue" and alleged that States, including Bihar and Bengal, which are indirectly affected by the Bangladesh border, are undergoing "significant demographic changes".
"From Jharkhand to Bihar, from Bihar to Bengal, from Bengal to Assam, these states are somehow affected by the Bangladesh border. These states are experiencing significant demographic changes. This is a huge crisis for the country. SIRs (Special Intensive Revision) were conducted, and some solutions were found. But major steps are needed to address demographics," CM Himanta Sarma told reporters here
He noted that the demographic issue raised in Assam is also being echoed in Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal. He expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take some major steps.
"PM Modi has talked about forming a Demographic Commission... Demographic change is not a political issue; it's an identity issue. I'm glad that the demographic issue we were talking about in Assam for a long time, today its echoes are being heard in Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal... I believe PM Modi will definitely take some major steps in the future. If you can't stop this demographic change, you will lose your lands, jobs, and even the government. No matter which party is in power, it should not be of infiltrators..."
Bihar has recorded a voter turnout of 60.13 per cent for the first phase of assembly elections, as of 5:00 PM, according to the data shared by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Among the 18 districts, Begusarai recorded the highest turnout of 67.32 per cent, followed by Gopalganj at 64.96 per cent and Muzaffarpur at 64.63 per cent. Patna district picks up the pace with a voter turnout of 55.02 per cent.
Lakhisarai district recorded a voter turnout of 62.76 per cent, followed by Madhepura, which recorded a voter turnout of 65.74 per cent.
The remaining 122 constituencies will vote in the second phase on November 11. The counting of votes will happen on November 14.