Union Minister Kiren Rijiju confirms the Centre is ready to debate the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and electoral reforms but warns the Opposition against fixing a timeline. Get the full analysis on the Parliament Winter Session deadlock and the ‘trust deficit’ over voter roll revision.
Parliament Deadlock SIR Electoral Rolls
The Parliament Winter Session witnessed a fierce escalation of the existing political friction, culminating in a significant parliamentary deadlock over the demand for an immediate debate on the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls. While the Union Government, through Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, signaled a willingness to engage in a discussion on both SIR and broader electoral reforms, the key point of contention remains the insistence by the Opposition on fixing a strict, immediate timeline for the debate. This disagreement effectively stalled proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for a second consecutive day.
The voter roll revision, a mass exercise currently underway across nearly a dozen states and Union Territories, has been the primary flashpoint. Opposition leaders, prominently from the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, have vociferously pressed for the suspension of all scheduled business to allow an urgent discussion, primarily under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha. Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted the gravity of the situation, citing the alleged deaths of numerous Block-Level Officers (BLOs) due to the extreme workload and the pressure from the tight, mechanical deadlines imposed for the voter list revision process.
The Opposition’s core argument centers on protecting the integrity of Indian Democracy. They contend that the rapid, extensive nature of the Special Intensive Revision risks widespread irregularities and the targeted deletion of legitimate voters, a concern voiced particularly by parties like the Samajwadi Party (SP), who are anxious about the potential impact on their key voter bases. “This is an urgent matter… In the interest of democracy, in the interest of citizens, in the interest of the country, you should allow a discussion,” Kharge asserted, urging the Chair to admit the notices.
