"Opposition exposed once again": BJP chief Nabin after ECI clarification on SIR
BJP chief Nitin Nabin accuses Congress of misleading the public after the ECI clarified that the Special Intensive Revision was a unanimous decision.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on the Opposition, accusing them of spreading misinformation regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This political firestorm erupted following a clarification from the Election Commission of India (ECI), which stated that all decisions concerning the SIR schedule were made with the unanimous approval of the entire Commission.
ECI Clears the Air on SIR Process
The controversy began when questions were raised regarding the decision-making process behind the SIR. However, the Election Commission has stepped in to set the record straight. The poll body clarified that the exercise was not the result of a single individual's directive but was backed by the full consensus of the Commission. Furthermore, the ECI addressed a specific letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary, explaining that it pertained solely to the functioning of an officer on deputation and did not involve any policy matters of the institution.
Nitin Nabin Accuses Congress of "Manufactured Lies"
Reacting to the ECI's statement, BJP National President Nitin Nabin took to social media to claim that the Opposition has been "exposed" for attempting to mislead the electorate. He specifically targeted the Congress party, alleging they built their narrative around falsehoods to attack constitutional bodies.
"The Opposition has once again been exposed for misleading the public on the SIR. The Election Commission has made it clear that every decision relating to the SIR was taken unanimously by the full Commission. Yet, Congress chose to build its allegations around a manufactured lie and attack our constitutional bodies," Nabin stated in a post on X.
Nabin further highlighted what he described as the selective acceptance of democratic processes by the Opposition. He noted that while the Congress and its allies accept electoral outcomes in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, they tend to question the credibility of institutions when mandates go against them in other regions. He called the use of "malicious propaganda" to discredit respected institutions "deeply unfortunate" and suggested that those undermining the democratic framework owe the nation an apology.
Sambit Patra Slams "Aggressive Attack" on Democracy
Adding weight to the BJP's stance, MP Sambit Patra also criticized the Opposition's recent conduct. He noted that the Congress and other parties had launched an aggressive campaign, alleging collusion between the ECI and the BJP to compromise Indian democracy.
Patra emphasized that the ECI's clarification has effectively dismantled these claims. He pointed out several key facts to support the BJP's position:
- Unanimous Consent: The SIR was conducted with the signatures and full consensus of all three Commissioners.
- Judicial Support: The Supreme Court had previously ruled in favor of the SIR.
- Administrative Clarification: The communication with the Cabinet Secretary was an administrative matter, not a policy dispute.
Patra concluded by suggesting that the Opposition's attempt to frame a consensus-based decision as a disagreement demonstrates a "lack of maturity" and a "nefarious design" to undermine the Constitution of India.