New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has dismissed the opposition’s allegations against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, calling them “baseless” and saying that corrections in voter lists were carried out within the framework of the law.
In an interview with News24 Consulting Editor Ashok Singhal, Gadkari said there were discrepancies in electoral rolls, including cases where the same name appeared multiple times. He maintained that such errors were corrected in accordance with legal provisions.
Gadkari also criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other opposition leaders for raising allegations against the Election Commission. He said making such claims was not appropriate for senior political leaders and that the public would not accept them.
Gadkari Says Voter List Errors Were Corrected Under Law
Responding to the opposition’s criticism of the SIR exercise, Gadkari said voter lists contained errors that needed to be corrected.
He pointed out that there were instances where the same name appeared four or five times in the electoral rolls. According to him, such discrepancies were addressed within the limits of the law.
The Union Minister said allegations surrounding the exercise were unfounded and questioned the opposition’s decision to target the Chief Election Commissioner over the revision process.
Gadkari also referred to the pattern of election victories and defeats, saying that winning and losing were part of the democratic process. He argued that questioning the election process on the basis of electoral results was not justified.
Gadkari Objects to Kharge’s Remarks Against PM Modi
The minister also expressed displeasure over the language used by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Gadkari said Kharge was an experienced leader and that the use of what he described as irresponsible language against the Prime Minister did not suit someone of his seniority.
His remarks came amid a growing political confrontation between the ruling BJP and opposition parties over the SIR exercise and the role of the Election Commission.
INDIA Bloc Holds Mock Impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Meanwhile, the opposition INDIA bloc held a symbolic public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi on Saturday.
The programme was initially planned as a mock Parliament session on October 30 but was postponed by a day following heavy rain in Delhi.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided over the proceedings, while Kharge moved the symbolic motion against the CEC. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to deliver the concluding remarks. Nearly 21 opposition parties were expected to participate, with around 30 speakers slated to address the gathering.
The proceedings followed a mock parliamentary format, with seating arrangements designed to resemble a legislative House. The opposition used the event to present its allegations against the CEC over the SIR exercise and what it has described as irregularities in electoral rolls.
The exercise was a symbolic political protest and not a formal parliamentary impeachment proceeding.
Opposition Demands CEC’s Resignation, BJP Challenges Leaders to Debate
The INDIA bloc has been demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, alleging irregularities in the SIR exercise and questioning the Election Commission’s handling of voter lists. The opposition has also raised concerns over alleged deletion of genuine voters.
The Congress-led bloc has planned a rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1 as part of its campaign against alleged vote theft.
Amid the escalating row, Union Home Minister Amit Shah challenged Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to discuss their allegations in Parliament. Shah said the BJP was ready for a special session to debate the issue and accused the opposition of avoiding a discussion inside Parliament.
The controversy over SIR and the CEC’s role has therefore become a fresh flashpoint between the government and opposition, with both sides continuing to defend their positions.