'Opposition's SIR allegations are baseless': Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary dismisses opposition claims regarding the SIR process as baseless, asserting the electoral roll verification was transparent.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has launched a stinging rebuttal against opposition parties, dismissing their recent accusations regarding the Special Inquiry Report (SIR) process as entirely "baseless and factless." Addressing the controversy, the Chief Minister maintained that the verification of electoral rolls in the state was conducted with utmost transparency and in strict adherence to established protocols.
Transparency in the SIR Process
According to the Chief Minister, the SIR process in Bihar was designed to ensure the integrity of the voter lists. He clarified that the exercise was carried out between June 24, 2025, and July 25, 2025, with a specific focus on cleaning up the rolls by identifying:
- Deceased individuals.
- Voters who have permanently relocated.
- Individuals registered at multiple voting locations.
Choudhary emphasized that the process included full provisions for claims and objections, ensuring that no eligible citizen was removed from the rolls without due process. He further noted that the Election Commission had made the 2003 voter lists available online to allow citizens to cross-verify their legacy details.
Historical Context and Institutional Integrity
In a bid to show that such verifications are standard practice, the Chief Minister pointed out that similar SIR exercises were conducted in 2003 during Rabri Devi's tenure as Chief Minister, and again in 2025 under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. He accused opposition leaders of attempting to manufacture confusion through press conferences rather than presenting actual evidence.
"Opposition leaders have no facts; they are only making allegations," Choudhary remarked, specifically addressing queries raised by leaders such as Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. He reiterated that the Election Commission has already provided necessary clarifications on these matters.
Aadhaar and Identity Verification
Addressing the technicalities of voter identification, the Chief Minister clarified the role of Aadhaar cards. He stated that Aadhaar is accepted as identity proof following Supreme Court directives, while acknowledging the court's distinction that Aadhaar serves as proof of identity rather than proof of citizenship. He maintained that, to date, no genuine complaints regarding the exclusion of legitimate voters have been officially received through the proper channels.
Political Friction and National Development
The Chief Minister did not stop at the electoral issue, using the platform to critique the opposition's broader political stance. He suggested that the opposition's frustration stems from the rapid pace of national development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
"A poor man's son became the Prime Minister of the country, and the opposition cannot digest this. The country is running well, and the opposition dislikes this. They have no issues left, which is why they are engaged in spreading confusion."
Choudhary concluded by urging all political entities to engage with the public on substantive issues of interest rather than spreading misinformation. He reminded the assembly that in a democracy, the public remains the ultimate authority, deciding the nation's direction through the ballot box.