Tamil Nadu Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami came down heavily on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and favoured the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party ally said SIR is being conducted in the state to ensure only eligible voters' names are included in the list.
Addressing presspersons in Coimbatore, Palaniswami said the intensive revision of electoral rolls is being conducted after 21 years in Tamil Nadu. Saying names of deceased voters and those who changed their address are still present in the list, SIR is being conducted so that only deserving names are in the roll, Palaniswami said.
Targeting the DMK-led ruling alliance in Tamil Nadu, Palaniswami said, "The DMK is opposing it as bogus voting cannot be done if only deserving people are included." Dismissing DMK's concerns that 30 days wasn't sufficient to complete the necessary exercise, the former chief minister said sufficient Booth Level Officers have been appointed hence there isn't any possibility for delay in completing the exercise.
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The DMK and its allies have strongly opposed the massive exercise, saying the voting rights of thousands would be snatched away. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had recently convened an all-party meeting to discuss the implications of SIR in Tamil Nadu. The Opposition parties boycotted the event.
The DMK has moved the Supreme Court against Tamil Nadu SIR, and the top court is likely to hear the matter on Tuesday.
