Scindia Accuses Opposition of Hypocrisy Over SIR Objections
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched a sharp critique of opposition parties on Wednesday. He said they only find fault with the Special Intensive Review when elections do not go their way.
"Do they have objections to the cleansing of voter lists or the proper voting process? In other words, are they afraid of losing?" Scindia asked reporters. The BJP leader emphasized that SIR exercises have been a standard practice for every government.
People's Verdict Must Be Respected
Scindia framed the issue as one of democratic principle. "Now, where they win, SIR is very good, and if they lose, it is bad. This is a democracy, and the people's decision is paramount for all of us," he stated. His comments come amid a growing political storm over the SIR process in several states.
Opposition Leaders Raise Alarms in States
Leaders from various opposition parties have voiced strong concerns, alleging irregularities.
- In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a forceful letter to the Chief Election Commissioner. She demanded an immediate halt to the SIR, calling it "chaotic, coercive and dangerous." Banerjee stated the situation had reached a "deeply alarming stage."
- The Aam Aadmi Party made serious claims about Uttar Pradesh. Senior leader Sanjay Singh alleged that over 4.5 crore voter names vanished from the state's rolls in one month. He labeled it "the largest electoral fraud in UP's history" and a direct attack on democracy.
- In Rajasthan, Congress state chief Govind Singh Dotasra accused the ruling BJP of a conspiracy. He claimed data was distributed to delete thousands of Congress-leaning voters from each assembly segment following a visit by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
BJP Dismisses Allegations as Baseless
The Bharatiya Janata Party has firmly rejected all accusations. Party representatives called the claims from opposition leaders completely unfounded. They maintain the SIR is a necessary and transparent exercise to ensure clean electoral rolls.
The debate over the Special Intensive Review highlights deep political divisions. One side views it as essential housekeeping for democracy. The other sees it as a tool for potential manipulation. The controversy continues to unfold across multiple states.
