Union Minister Responds to Congress Criticism

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has criticized the Congress party, particularly Rahul Gandhi, over the ongoing electoral roll revision in Bihar. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which aims to address discrepancies in the voter list, was initiated following a letter from Rahul Gandhi highlighting errors. In an interview with NDTV, Mr. Joshi emphasized that the SIR process is consistent with previous revisions, with technology being the only notable change.

Election Commission’s Role Under Scrutiny

Mr. Joshi defended the Election Commission’s actions, questioning why Rahul Gandhi now opposes the corrections he initially requested. He pointed out the contradiction in Gandhi’s stance, suggesting that the Congress leader is critical regardless of whether his concerns are addressed. The minister’s remarks come amid heightened tensions as opposition parties in Bihar claim that their supporters are being unfairly excluded from the voter list.

Concerns Over Voter Exclusion

With just six days remaining for the finalization of the voter list, more than 41 lakh voters face potential exclusion, an increase from 35.6 lakh earlier in the week. This situation has sparked outrage among opposition parties, who argue that their constituents are being selectively disenfranchised. Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Tejashwi Yadav, an ally of Congress, has reached out to leaders of 35 major parties nationwide, seeking their support against what he describes as a flawed revision process.

Implications for Democracy and Upcoming Parliament Session

Tejashwi Yadav has labeled the SIR process a “spectacle and a tragedy,” accusing the Election Commission of undermining public trust in India’s democratic institutions. He argues that the current approach threatens to erode confidence in the electoral system’s integrity. As parliament prepares for its monsoon session, this issue is expected to be a focal point of debate and could have significant political implications.