The political storm surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls before the Bihar Assembly elections has intensified, with the matter now reaching the Supreme Court.
New Delhi: Political circles are abuzz over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in India, ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Particularly in the context of the Bihar elections, the opposition is questioning both the central government and the Election Commission regarding the modifications being made to the voter lists.
Adding to the situation, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key ally of the NDA, has taken a significant step by also making fresh demands concerning the SIR process in Andhra Pradesh, which could create difficulties for the BJP.
What is the TDP's Demand?
The TDP has requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide more time for the SIR of voter lists in Andhra Pradesh and to ensure that this process does not occur within six months of any major election. Furthermore, the TDP has also clearly stated that previously registered voters should not be required to re-prove their citizenship or identity.
A TDP delegation, while presenting its demands to the Election Commission, also clarified that the objective of the SIR should be limited to the improvement of voter lists and the addition of new names. It should be kept entirely separate from citizenship verification, and this distinction should be clearly mentioned in all instructions and guidelines.
Could Discord Grow Within the Alliance?
The TDP is one of the best allies of the NDA. It holds 16 seats in the Lok Sabha 2024. In this context, the TDP questioning the SIR process in this manner and demanding changes indicates that not everything is entirely well within the NDA. The BJP, currently with 240 seats, is 32 seats short of a full majority on its own and has to rely entirely on its allies to save the government. In such a scenario, disagreements with a major ally like the TDP can prove to be a political headache for the BJP.
Experts believe that if the BJP ignores these demands of the TDP, it could increase tensions within the alliance. On the other hand, if the BJP accepts the TDP's conditions, its strategy regarding the SIR process in other states, including Bihar, could be weakened.
The Opposition Gains a New Weapon
Chandrababu Naidu's party, the TDP, has demanded that the SIR process be made more transparent, kept separate from citizenship verification, and that there be clarity in the rules for removing voters. The emergence of this demand has given the opposition parties another b opportunity to attack the BJP. The Congress and the INDIA alliance have already been targeting the government and the Election Commission by portraying SIR as an attempt at electoral manipulation.
Now that the BJP's ally, the TDP, is also questioning the SIR process, the opposition can promote it as a disagreement within the NDA. This could affect both the BJP's strategy and image. If the Election Commission makes changes to the SIR process or delays it, the opposition will present it as its victory, which could negatively impact the BJP's credibility among the public.
SIR, or Special Intensive Revision, is directly linked to the transparency and fairness of voter lists in elections. Any delay or changes in any amendment or revision have strategic significance for political parties. In such a situation, the opposition from an ally like the TDP is a major political message for the BJP.
