NEW DELHI: Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday ruled out any discussion in Parliament on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, asserting that the exercise falls entirely within the purview of the Election Commission of India (ECI), a constitutional body.
“I want to clarify that the government is ready to hold discussions on any issue as per rules. There cannot be a discussion on SIR because it is a process undertaken by a Constitutional body, and it is not happening for the first time,” Rijiju told ANI.
Parliament proceedings have faced repeated disruptions as Opposition MPs demanded a debate on the ongoing SIR exercise in poll-bound Bihar. The INDIA bloc has alleged that the revision process is a ploy to disenfranchise large sections of voters, particularly migrants and marginalised communities.
Speaking to PTI, Rijiju said that rules and conventions do not allow for debates on the administrative work of constitutional bodies. Citing former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar, he said, “What is not favoured by rules and convention cannot be discussed.” He questioned who in the House would be authorised to respond on behalf of the ECI, adding, “This is not the first time the EC is doing it.”
Opposition digs in, accuses ECI of 'vote chori'
Opposition leaders have been unrelenting. Rahul Gandhi, speaking to reporters after meeting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accused the poll panel of acting on behalf of the BJP. “Whoever in the Election Commission is involved in this exercise, right from top to bottom, we will not spare you. You are working against India, and this is no less than treason,” he said.
Congress and RJD leaders in Bihar have also criticised the draft rolls released by the ECI. According to PTI, more than 65 lakh enumeration forms were “not included” in the rolls, reducing the state’s total voters from 7.9 crore to 7.24 crore. Patna alone saw nearly 4 lakh such exclusions. The ECI attributed the drop to 22.34 lakh deaths, 36.28 lakh voters permanently shifting away, and 7.01 lakh duplicate registrations.
Rijiju blames Opposition for Parliament washout
Rijiju also criticised the Opposition for stalling Parliament. “Crores of rupees are spent on running Parliament. The Congress and its allies should apologise to people for their conduct,” he said. He claimed the disruptions prevent MPs from raising other pressing issues and violate parliamentary norms. PTI reported that the INDIA bloc intends to push for a debate again on Monday and at the Business Advisory Committee meeting.
The ECI has opened a window for claims and objections till 1 September. The final electoral rolls are expected thereafter.
“I want to clarify that the government is ready to hold discussions on any issue as per rules. There cannot be a discussion on SIR because it is a process undertaken by a Constitutional body, and it is not happening for the first time,” Rijiju told ANI.
Parliament proceedings have faced repeated disruptions as Opposition MPs demanded a debate on the ongoing SIR exercise in poll-bound Bihar. The INDIA bloc has alleged that the revision process is a ploy to disenfranchise large sections of voters, particularly migrants and marginalised communities.
Speaking to PTI, Rijiju said that rules and conventions do not allow for debates on the administrative work of constitutional bodies. Citing former Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar, he said, “What is not favoured by rules and convention cannot be discussed.” He questioned who in the House would be authorised to respond on behalf of the ECI, adding, “This is not the first time the EC is doing it.”
Opposition digs in, accuses ECI of 'vote chori'
Opposition leaders have been unrelenting. Rahul Gandhi, speaking to reporters after meeting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accused the poll panel of acting on behalf of the BJP. “Whoever in the Election Commission is involved in this exercise, right from top to bottom, we will not spare you. You are working against India, and this is no less than treason,” he said.
Congress and RJD leaders in Bihar have also criticised the draft rolls released by the ECI. According to PTI, more than 65 lakh enumeration forms were “not included” in the rolls, reducing the state’s total voters from 7.9 crore to 7.24 crore. Patna alone saw nearly 4 lakh such exclusions. The ECI attributed the drop to 22.34 lakh deaths, 36.28 lakh voters permanently shifting away, and 7.01 lakh duplicate registrations.
Rijiju blames Opposition for Parliament washout
Rijiju also criticised the Opposition for stalling Parliament. “Crores of rupees are spent on running Parliament. The Congress and its allies should apologise to people for their conduct,” he said. He claimed the disruptions prevent MPs from raising other pressing issues and violate parliamentary norms. PTI reported that the INDIA bloc intends to push for a debate again on Monday and at the Business Advisory Committee meeting.
The ECI has opened a window for claims and objections till 1 September. The final electoral rolls are expected thereafter.
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