Image used for representative purposes VADODARA: Alleged strain over EC’s special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Gujarat flared Saturday after a 50-year-old booth-level officer (BLO) assistant collapsed and died in Vadodara, another BLO in Padra suffered severe chest pain, and a teacher in Godhra went live on social media threatening to end his life over “unmanageable demands” tied to the drive.Four BLO-linked deaths have been reported in Gujarat over the past four days – two allegedly from cardiac arrest, one by suicide, and the cause still under investigation in the latest case.Usha Solanki, a senior clerk at Gorwa Mahila ITI assigned as BLO assistant at Pratap School in Vadodara’s Kadak Bazaar, collapsed while waiting for her supervisor Saturday. She was taken to a state-run SSG hospital, where doctors declared her dead. An autopsy is pending, but she is suspected to have suffered a heart attack. Officials said she had been on SIR duty for three days.Her husband Indrasinh Solanki said she had chronic health complications and had repeatedly appealed against her assignment. Vadodara collector Anil Dhameliya rejected allegations of undue pressure, saying there was no formal leave request on record. He said the administration was trying to ease the load by avoiding night work and deploying extra staff for digitisation. BLO concerns have been conveyed to EC “to make the process more decentralised,” he said.At Padra town in Vadodara district, BLO and teacher Zulfikar Pathan was rushed to a Vadu primary health centre Friday night with severe chest pain. His relatives alleged he had been working extended hours and eating only one meal a day for the past fortnight. He was later shifted to a private hospital.In Godhra, BLO Vinu Bamaniya went live on social media urging colleagues to boycott SIR duties and alleging he had been threatened with “dire consequences” if he failed to return 200 filled forms by Saturday. Bamaniya alleged an official snapped her fingers at him. “I understand the seriousness of the work, but cannot tolerate insults,” he said. Panchmahal collector Ajay Dahiya said officials intervened and allowed the teacher to work at his own pace. To help each BLO, he said two assistants had been attached.About the AuthorPrashant RuperaPrashant Rupera Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India in Vadodara for 22 years. He extensively covers dairy sector, co-operatives, environment, climate change, education, health, politics, aviation, railways, heritage and archaeology. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s in journalism and communication. He has received awards for his campaigns and is a TOI Scribe Tribe awardee.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTrump Says He Brokered Eight Peace Deals Including India And Pakistan During Mamdani MeetUP Gears Up For Biggest Crackdown Yet As CM Yogi Mandates Detention Hubs For Illegal ImmigrantsModi, Meloni Share Warm Laughter on G20 Sidelines in Johannesburg‘In memory of our brothers’: Russian Pilot’s Heartfelt Note For Indian Tejas Pilot After Dubai Crash’Objective Is To Destroy The Enemy’: Op Sindoor Echoes As Indian Army Vows Stronger Response to PakIndian Army Chief Reveals How A Trusted Orchestra Crushed Nine Targets in Operation Sindoor BlitzManipur Sangai Festival 2025- ThemeAt G20 Summit, PM Modi Proposes Global Knowledge, Skills, Health And Security Initiatives For FutureSangai Festival 2025 Opening CeremonyEx-VP Jagdeep Dhankhar Breaks Silence, Calls Out Narrative Traps With Cryptic Reference To His Past123PhotostoriesFrom Bengal to B-town, actors who found fame in Hindi filmsLaughter Chefs 3: From new jodis of Vivian Dsena-Eisha Singh, Gurmeet-Debina to Tejasswi Prakash-Karan Kundrra teaming up together: Highlights from the new season3 Ayurveda-approved fruit rules to boost digestionFrom Harman Sidhu to Danish Zehen: Indian celebrities who died in tragic road accidents7 high-protein breakfast shakes with 20g per glassMillion-dollar executives: Meet top 5 highest-paid CXOs in India FY259 behaviours that slowly destroy relationships over timeTop 4 home remedies to reduce bloating and boost digestion naturallyKartik Aaryan to Sara Tendulkar: 5 best celebrity looks of the daySilent signs of bullying every parent should pay attention to123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayBihar Minister List 2025Bihar CM Oath CeremonyGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingFantasy Football Injury ReportSavannah JamesBrittany MahomesTaylor SwiftTravis KelceChris Blake GriffithJosh Allen InjuryCharvarius WardFortnite Chapter 7 LeakedCade Cunningham
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VADODARA: Alleged strain over EC’s special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Gujarat flared Saturday after a 50-year-old booth-level officer (BLO) assistant collapsed and died in Vadodara, another BLO in Padra suffered severe chest pain, and a teacher in Godhra went live on social media threatening to end his life over “unmanageable demands” tied to the drive.Four BLO-linked deaths have been reported in Gujarat over the past four days – two allegedly from cardiac arrest, one by suicide, and the cause still under investigation in the latest case.Usha Solanki, a senior clerk at Gorwa Mahila ITI assigned as BLO assistant at Pratap School in Vadodara’s Kadak Bazaar, collapsed while waiting for her supervisor Saturday. She was taken to a state-run SSG hospital, where doctors declared her dead. An autopsy is pending, but she is suspected to have suffered a heart attack. Officials said she had been on SIR duty for three days.Her husband Indrasinh Solanki said she had chronic health complications and had repeatedly appealed against her assignment. Vadodara collector Anil Dhameliya rejected allegations of undue pressure, saying there was no formal leave request on record. He said the administration was trying to ease the load by avoiding night work and deploying extra staff for digitisation. BLO concerns have been conveyed to EC “to make the process more decentralised,” he said.At Padra town in Vadodara district, BLO and teacher Zulfikar Pathan was rushed to a Vadu primary health centre Friday night with severe chest pain. His relatives alleged he had been working extended hours and eating only one meal a day for the past fortnight. He was later shifted to a private hospital.In Godhra, BLO Vinu Bamaniya went live on social media urging colleagues to boycott SIR duties and alleging he had been threatened with “dire consequences” if he failed to return 200 filled forms by Saturday. Bamaniya alleged an official snapped her fingers at him. “I understand the seriousness of the work, but cannot tolerate insults,” he said. Panchmahal collector Ajay Dahiya said officials intervened and allowed the teacher to work at his own pace. To help each BLO, he said two assistants had been attached.
