Union Minister Giriraj Singh has sharply criticized the Opposition for allegedly creating unnecessary chaos around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar while also disrupting Parliament proceedings. His comments followed the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) release of the state’s draft electoral rolls, which surprisingly saw no formal objections from any political party.
Singh didn’t hold back in his accusations. “It is deeply unfortunate that Parliament is being disrupted, and confusion is being spread across the country,” he said in an interview with IANS. He pointed out that despite the uproar, no party had officially raised concerns with the ECI, exposing what he called the Opposition’s hollow agenda.
The ECI confirmed that as of August 6, no political party had filed any objections to the draft rolls published on August 1. However, they did receive 3,659 claims and objections from individual voters, along with 19,186 registration forms from new voters who recently turned 18. This discrepancy further fueled Singh’s argument that the Opposition’s protests lacked substance.
The minister didn’t spare Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav either. He accused them of bypassing formal channels and resorting to public criticism of the Election Commission. “Nothing could be more unfortunate than this,” Singh remarked.
Meanwhile, the ECI has taken strict action against seven Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Bihar for negligence during the SIR process. These officials, from the Fatuha and Mokama constituencies, were suspended for skipping duty, ignoring guidelines, and making unauthorized decisions. The Patna District Magistrate made it clear that no lapses in the electoral revision process would be tolerated.
To streamline voter grievances, special camps have been operational since August 2 at block and district levels across Bihar. These camps aim to address complaints swiftly and transparently, ensuring the electoral process remains fair and efficient.
The political tussle over the SIR exercise highlights the growing tension ahead of Bihar’s Assembly elections. While the Opposition raises concerns, the lack of formal objections has allowed the government to dismiss their claims as mere posturing. With both sides locked in a war of words, the coming weeks will reveal whether these disputes escalate or fizzle out as the election date approaches.