The Opposition is set to continue its protest for the third straight day on Thursday at Parliament premises against the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Alleging large-scale voter deletion and manipulation ahead of state elections, Opposition parties have repeatedly demanded a debate in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Since the beginning of the Monsoon Session, several opposition MPs have moved adjournment motions in both Houses seeking urgent discussion on the SIR. The protest, held daily on the steps of Parliament, includes prominent leaders such as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, DMK MP Kanimozhi, and Congress leaders Manickam Tagore and KC Venugopal.
Amid rising political tensions, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav and party MP Manoj Jha hinted at the possibility of discussing a poll boycott in response to the revision exercise, further escalating the political stakes in Bihar.
In the Rajya Sabha, at least six Congress MPs have moved notices under Rule 267 to suspend regular business and allow a focused discussion on the SIR. These include Rajani Ashokrao Patil, Jebi Mather, Ranjeet Ranjan, Neeraj Dangi, and Akhilesh Prasad Singh.
Rajya Sabha MP Neeraj Dangi’s motion highlighted fears of disenfranchisement, especially among socio-economically vulnerable communities and migrant workers who often face challenges with documentation. “High levels of migration and document-related difficulties in states like Bihar raise questions about disenfranchisement among large sections of vulnerable communities,” Dangi stated in his submission to the RS Secretary General.
Congress MP Rajani Patil echoed similar concerns, alleging that the revision exercise could be a tool for “potential electoral manipulation.” She drew parallels with the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, where the Congress had raised alarms over irregular voter additions.
“The EC’s actions have sparked grave apprehensions,” Patil wrote, warning that similar revision drives reportedly planned for West Bengal and other states may replicate the concerns now being raised in Bihar.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament continues amid heavy political crossfire, with Operation Sindoor, defence matters, and now the Bihar SIR dominating the legislative and political discourse.
