Leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc are scheduled to hold a key meeting at 10 AM today in the Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition’s office to discuss their floor strategy for the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The meeting comes amid continued disruptions in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as the opposition intensifies its protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, a move they allege could result in large-scale voter deletions ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
Congress MP KC Venugopal accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of compromising democratic norms, stating: “We are protesting inside and outside Parliament. The Election Commission is systematically targeting democratic values. Many names have been excluded from the voter list in Bihar. This is unacceptable in a fair democracy.”
He also revealed that the INDIA bloc will expose alleged ECI malpractices during a protest event in Bengaluru on August 5.
Further coordination is expected on August 7, when INDIA bloc leaders are slated to meet over dinner at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s residence in Delhi, sources confirmed. The gathering will focus on the bloc’s collective approach to raising the SIR issue in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated that the government is open to discussions on any issue within parliamentary rules, but refused a debate on the SIR, stating that it is a routine process carried out by the Constitutionally mandated Election Commission.
“This is not the first time such a revision is taking place. Discussions on such constitutional processes are not permitted,” Rijiju said.
On Friday, the Election Commission released the draft electoral rolls for Bihar following the Enumeration Phase under SIR 2025. It assured the public that no name will be removed without stated reasons, and provided a one-month window for claims and objections.
The SIR exercise, and the controversy surrounding it, have now become a flashpoint in Parliament, with the INDIA bloc determined to press the issue despite resistance from the ruling side.
