The Opposition parties' focus on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has intensified after the Bihar assembly elections, where several leaders have alleged that deductions in the voter list ultimately favoured the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
They claim the revision was untimely, coming months ahead of the assembly elections, giving the government an electoral advantage. Now the Opposition bloc is wary that the SIR may reduce their electoral prospects, putting them on the backfoot in upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala.
"There is one thing that can invariably bring the Opposition together, and it is the existential threat,” says a political observer. “They conceive SIR as a process which would minimise their support base on the ground. Then there are anomalies in the process where many are declared dead, and many are not even included in the voter list, despite having the necessary proofs."
The opening day of the winter session of Parliament on Monday witnessed turbulence, adjournments, and a walkout by the Opposition, signalling that the Opposition bloc may continue its demands until the NDA government allows discussions on key public issues, like air pollution and SIR.
The political slugfest began within just 20 minutes of the proceedings, as members of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha started raising slogans and demanding a debate on the SIR of electoral rolls. They also flagged the emerging issue of suicides among booth-level officers (BLOs) associated with the revision process, calling it a matter of urgent public concern.
“As long as the drama continues on the government’s side, this disruption will continue,” says AICC spokesperson Deepak Jha. “It is the government that does not want Parliament to function. If they were serious, they would have agreed to debate with the Opposition and taken up issues concerning common people.”
Earlier, while entering Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the Opposition would insist on raising urgent matters affecting citizens. This indicated that the Congress was ready with more ammunition and was prepared for a showdown on key issues impacting people, beginning with SIR and air pollution. “Drama is not allowing democratic discussions about issues that matter to the public,” she said, adding,
“I suggest we talk about urgent issues like the election situation, SIR, and pollution; these are crucial for democracy. What is Parliament for if not to discuss these things?”
The Opposition, united across parties, has indicated that it will continue to stall proceedings unless a structured discussion is permitted on what it calls “determining issues for the future of democracy”.
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A senior Congress leader said, "Rahul Gandhi has already explained how pollution is choking people. That is one issue the Opposition will be quite serious about. “ With a discussion on the SIR issue being ruled out by the government for now, the confrontations are likely to continue. “As a responsible Opposition, it is our duty to push the government to listen to what people are saying and not strangulate the democratic process."
Parties like the Nationalist Congress Party echoed the same sentiment. NCP MP (Sharad Pawar) Fauzia Khan said, "Our issue is that we have the right to breathe clean, open air... The government should take steps to ensure this and discuss it in parliament...,” she told ANI.
The SIR issue also found resonance as she demanded discussions be held on BLOs committing suicide after being pressurised because of SIR, the need to make the process transparent, smooth, and just. The concerns on national security also struck a chord with Opposition parties, who are demanding a discussion on the terror threats and the strategy of the government to address them. “We hope that all issues will be discussed... We hope that this time we will definitely get justice..."
How well Congress is able to rally the Opposition parties in the coming days remains to be seen. The second phase of SIR exercise covers 12 states and Union territories, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Puducherry and Lakshadweep.
