"BJP's defence of CEC is pathetic": P Chidambaram slams BJP over conduct of SIR

In a post on X, Chidambaram called for the restoration of voting rights of 13 crore 30 lakh people, demanding an explanation from the BJP regarding the alleged deletion of 14 per cent of the adult population of India across 20 states under the SIR exercise.

The former Union Minister further questioned BJP, asking it to explain how 91 per cent of the appeals filed against voter removals were allowed by judges in West Bengal, which resulted in the restoration of victims' names to the rolls.

Chidambaram further emphasised that numerous questions remain unresolved regarding the process.

"Yesterday, the CWC identified the various flaws in the S.I.R. and rightly made three demands. Demands: CEC must resign; SIR must be suspended; 13,30,00,000 names removed from the electoral rolls must be restored The BJP's response to the CWC resolution and its defence of the CEC are pathetic Nobody wants dead voters to remain on the rolls. They can be removed through the usual annual revision on January 1, but what about names removed on the specious ground of: - unable to fill the Form 6;- 'not found in the address'; - logical discrepancy?" he said.

"BJP must explain how 14% of the ADULT population of India has been removed from the rolls in 20 states under SIR? BJP must explain how 91% of the Appeals against removal were allowed by the Judges in West Bengal and the names of victims were restored to the rolls?," BJP must answer the question posed by Ms Anjali Bhargava of NCPRI: where is the file in which the decision to conduct SIR was originally taken? There are many more questions. I am sure the entire SIR exercise will unravel in the next few weeks or months," Chidambaram added.

Chidambaram's remarks came after the Congress held its Working Committee (CWC) meeting in New Delhi on september 29, where key leaders including Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, senior leader Sonia Gandhi, among others participated.

During the CWC meeting, a various set of resolutions was passed at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters, demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and restoration of 13 crore 30 lakh names that the party claims have been removed from the rolls.

The party said the developments vindicated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's warnings about what it termed "Vote Chori", and cited his concerns over selective enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, the integrity of EVMs, additions and deletions from electoral rolls, the changed process for appointing the CEC and the grant of lifelong immunity to the CEC.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party hit out at the Congress leadership, accusing them of undermining constitutional bodies and questioning the integrity of the Election Commission of India (ECI) instead of introspecting on their electoral defeats. (ANI)