New Delhi, August 6: Leaders of parties within the INDIA bloc held a joint press conference today over the issue of Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the Modi government allegedly attempted to increase its vote share in Maharashtra by taking certain measures, while in Bihar, their objective was to cut votes.
He also accused the government of electoral malpractice in Karnataka and emphasized the need for a detailed discussion on these issues in Parliament. Kharge described SIR as a move that casts doubt on voters’ citizenship.
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He asserted that all opposition parties demand a debate on SIR and have been urging the Speaker and the government to allow it. According to Kharge, the government has adopted different strategies in different states—adding votes in Maharashtra and attempting to remove them in Bihar—based on what suits its political interests.
Kharge stressed that a discussion in the House could help provide constructive suggestions and prevent wrongful deletion of voters’ names.
He accused the Modi government of undermining people’s citizenship by raising doubts over it and reiterated that all opposition parties have repeatedly requested the Speaker, Deputy Chairman, and the government to address the issue of alleged voter manipulation.
He further stated that Parliament should allow a discussion on SIR to highlight irregularities and unconstitutional practices and ensure that citizens’ rights remain protected. The right to vote, he emphasized, is a constitutional right, and depriving someone of it is equivalent to stripping away their citizenship.
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Referring to a previous statement made on July 21, 2023, by then Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, Kharge noted that discussions were said to be permissible on all matters of public concern. However, the current stance is that no discussion can take place on matters related to the Election Commission or SIR.
He maintained that Parliament has debated every major issue in the past, and therefore, SIR should also be discussed in the House.
