Twenty-three opposition political parties and an independent Member of Parliament on Tuesday sent a joint letter to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, raising concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and the role of the Election Commission of India (EC). The letter was signed by independent MP Kapil Sibal, according to Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh.
Background of the Joint Letter
Ramesh announced the development in a post on X, stating that the opposition parties are firmly anchored in what he described as 'SURE' – Solidarity, Unity and Resistance. He said that 21 political parties plus one independent attended the INDIA janbandhan meeting on June 8, 2026, where the decision to address the letter was taken. Subsequently, the letter was signed by 23 political parties and one independent MP.
TMC leader Derek O'Brien confirmed that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) also signed the letter. 'Good going from INDIA. And yes, @AamAadmiParty @arivalayam DMK also signed the joint letter to CJI,' he posted on X.
Key Issues Raised
The joint letter addresses the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of the Election Commission and other election-related issues. Sources indicated that the letter also discusses the role of the EC. The Congress and other opposition parties have been questioning the EC over the SIR process, which they allege is being used to manipulate voter rolls.
The opposition parties have expressed concerns that the SIR process lacks transparency and may disenfranchise eligible voters. They have called for judicial oversight to ensure the integrity of the electoral roll.
Political Significance
The letter represents a unified stance by the opposition bloc, INDIA, which includes major parties such as the Indian National Congress, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, DMK, and others. The move underscores the opposition's strategy to challenge the government on electoral issues through the judiciary.
Jairam Ramesh emphasized that the opposition parties are committed to democratic principles and are seeking the Chief Justice's intervention to uphold the fairness of the electoral process. The letter is seen as a significant step in the ongoing political discourse ahead of upcoming elections.
