Monsoon session: I.N.D.I.A., Centre at loggerheads over SIR, Oppn insists on special discussion

New Delhi: Intensifying their protest on the contentious Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and elsewhere, I.N.D.I.A parties on Friday wrote to Speaker Om Birla seeking a "special discussion" on the issue in Lok Sabha, even as both sides remaining adamant on their stand and leaving almost little scope for a taking a middle-path.

The letter, signed by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and leaders of seven other parties, said the matter requires urgent attention of the House as there is “widespread apprehension about transparency, timing and intent” of the exercise.

“The revision of electoral rolls has direct implications on the right to vote and the conduct of free and fair elections. A special discussion in the Lok Sabha will allow members to seek clarity and ensure transparency and accountability,” the letter said.

The Opposition's move came as both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha could not transact any business and adjourned for the day owing to vociferous protests by MPs, who rushed to the Well of the House, demanding an immediate discussion.

A senior Opposition leader told DH that the Monsoon Session may witness a "washout" if the government does not agree to a debate on the issue.

Referring to the SIR in Bihar that is being carried out just "a few months before" the Assembly polls, the leaders expressed "deep concern" and said it is "unprecedented". They said the Opposition has consistently raised the issue since the start of the Session and during the all-party meeting on July 20.

"While the government has stated its willingness to discuss all issues, including this one, no date has been fixed for such a discussion," the letter signed by TR Baalu (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP-SP), Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena-UBT) among others said.

Opposition sources claimed that the ruling side had promised to discuss scheduling the debate at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee after the debate on Operation Sindoor but it has not been convened in the last two days. They said they cooperated with the passing of resolution on extending President's Rule in Manipur but the government has not reciprocated.

Sources said they were submitting at least two dozen notices daily in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seeking a discussion on SIR since the session started on July 21 and the government has not responded positively.

Opposition leaders claimed that the government has been claiming that the functioning of the EC cannot be discussed in Parliament as it cannot respond.

Rebutting the government's argument, Congress Chief Whip Manickam Tagore said, “then how are we discussing EC in the Standing Committee of Law and Justice? This is a bogus argument.”

At a meeting of floor leaders on Thursday, the I.N.D.I.A bloc decided to brand the SIR exercise as “vote chori” (vote-theft) and equivalent in other Indian languages.