Ashwini Vaishnaw challenges Rahul Gandhi to come to Parliament to discuss SIR issue

Amidst attacks by the opposition regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has questioned the Congress party's approach. Issuing a challenge to Rahul Gandhi, he said that if the Congress wishes to discuss this issue, they should come to the hallowed precincts of the House instead of using social media. Vaishnaw further added that the government is prepared to convene a special session for this purpose, though he predicted that the Congress would ultimately walk out of the House during any such discussion.

According to a report by Sandesh, Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised that an accurate electoral roll is a fundamental principle of democracy, upon which all elections and democratic processes are based. He clarified that SIR is a process prescribed under the Constitution of India and is not a new phenomenon, having been undertaken several times since 1947. Targeting the Congress, he stated that this process was carried out many times during their tenure as well, making their current questions unwarranted.

Vaishnaw also cornered the Congress on the issue of EVMs. He questioned why they are now raising questions about EVMs and SIR when the Congress themselves had introduced EVMs. He remarked that before EVMs, there was no way to know what was being placed in ballot boxes after 5 PM. Citing examples of leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani, he noted that despite the BJP being in the opposition for 510 years, its leaders never made allegations against any institution.

Referring to the election results in Kerala, he said one should look at who won there. He compared the current approach of the Congress to the proverb 'naach na aaye aangan tedha' (a bad workman blames his tools) and said that such results occur when an individual leaves the party to blindly follow only one family. He added that Prime Minister Modi has brought the country to a position where India can speak on par with other nations and is now fighting battles even in the bastions of BJP opponents.

On the other hand, according to a report by The Hindu, Union Minister of State for Home, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, also attacked Rahul Gandhi. He alleged that Rahul Gandhi lacks an understanding of the SIR process being conducted by the Election Commission of India. Sanjay Kumar warned that if the Congress continues this kind of politics, the Central Government may consider implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC). He clarified that only citizens of India can elect the Prime Minister, MPs, and MLAs, not people from Bangladesh or Pakistan.

During the 'Save Democracy-Remove Anarchy' programme held in Telangana, BJP State President N. Ramachandra Rao accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of neglecting farmers' problems and engaging in false propaganda and political drama in Delhi under the pretext of 'vote theft'. BJP MLA A. Maheshwar Reddy challenged Revanth Reddy to resign from the post of Chief Minister and seek a fresh mandate from the people. He alleged that there is a 'foreign conspiracy' behind the opposition's protest demonstrations in Delhi and an attempt is being made to create a situation in India similar to Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, according to a report by The Economic Times, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also confirmed that the government is ready to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This statement comes amidst opposition protests regarding the implementation of this process and demands for a discussion on its impact.