GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th July: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday joined a sustained protest by INDIA alliance MPs against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in poll-bound Bihar, intensifying pressure on the Election Commission. The demonstration, held at Parliament’s Makar Dwar, marked its fifth consecutive day with participation from senior leaders such as Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
March Through Parliament Grounds
MPs from the INDIA bloc—including Congress, Samajwadi Party, and others—marched from the iconic Gandhi statue to Parliament ahead of the day’s session. Holding large banners with slogans like “SIR – Attack on Democracy”, the demonstrators raised slogans such as “Modi sarkar down down” and “Stop the attack on democracy.” In a symbolic gesture, MPs tore down posters to signal rejection of the SIR process altogether.
Kharge Speaks Out
Before joining the protest, Mallikarjun Kharge addressed reporters affirming the alliance’s core stand:
“We are fighting against that only (Special Intensive Revision exercise).”
Kharge’s involvement lent further gravitas to the protest and intensified calls for electoral transparency.
Priyanka Gandhi Demands Transparency
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, representing Wayanad, also voiced strong criticism of the Election Commission for withholding updated voter rolls from political parties, stating:
“They should respond to the allegations… provide us with the voters’ list… There should be transparency. It is a democracy.”
Her remarks reflect broader concerns that the ECI is obstructing fair access to electoral data.
Rahul Gandhi’s Warning to EC
For his part, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, issued a stern warning to the Election Commission:
“If you think you are going to get away with it… you are mistaken. We are going to come for you.”
He accused the ECI of “cheating” during voter list revisions in parts of Karnataka, signaling zero tolerance for perceived manipulation.
In response, the Election Commission urged patience, pointing to pending High Court verdicts on the Karnataka allegations. Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer declared no appeals were received regarding wrongful additions or deletions in voter rolls during prior revision exercises
INDIA Alliance Accuses SIR of Voter Suppression
Opposition parties, including Congress and the Samajwadi Party, argue that the SIR exercise in Bihar is politically motivated, raising concerns that marginalized communities are being systematically removed from electoral rolls. These allegations come as Bihar gears up for critical assembly elections, making any voter exclusion potentially significant.
Critics insist SIR is harder than routine voter-list maintenance and lacks transparency. Allegations have ranged from wrongful deletions to selective disenfranchisement. The opposition is demanding immediate electoral roll access and clearer oversight from the Election Commission ahead of the polls.
Democracy Tested Ahead of Bihar Elections
The refusal to open updated voter rolls to political parties has deepened distrust in the electoral process. In a democracy, access to accurate data is fundamental. INDIA alliance’s insistence on transparency underscores a critical conflict zone between political contestation and institutional accountability.
With Bihar elections on the horizon, the stakes are high. If the SIR process proceeds without adequate scrutiny, it risks eroding trust in the ECI and tainting the integrity of electoral outcomes.
Democracy at a Crossroads
Mallikarjun Kharge’s participation has elevated the protest’s political significance. As INDIA MPs persist in demanding transparency and protesting at the seat of Indian democracy, the Election Commission stands at a crossroads. Will it adhere to democratic norms and open electoral data—or risk alienation and credibility loss in the court of public opinion?
