New Delhi: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Friday launched a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi government, demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Election Commission’s (EC) revelation that 56 lakh names were being struck off
Bihar’s electoral rolls as part of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Speaking to reporters at the steps of Parliament, Moitra questioned how such a large number of allegedly ineligible voters had managed to find their way onto the rolls. “If the Central government believes that 56 lakh people have infiltrated Bihar, what was the Home Ministry doing all this while?” she asked pointedly.
The EC had released the data on Wednesday, listing 56 lakh deletions which include 20 lakh deceased individuals, 28 lakh voters who had migrated to other states, 7 lakh people registered in multiple locations, and 1 lakh voters who were uncontactable. The data has sparked a political storm, with Opposition parties questioning both its accuracy and the motives behind the exercise. Moitra alleged that the EC was acting as an extension of the ruling BJP, rather than functioning as an independent constitutional body.
“Never before in India’s history have we witnessed such a sweeping deletion of names. The Chief Election Commissioner speaks more like a BJP spokesperson than a neutral official,” she charged. She also raised concerns over the sudden escalation in numbers, pointing out that the figure for untraceable voters had jumped from 11,000 to over 1 lakh within 24 hours. “This raises serious doubts about the transparency and intent behind the entire exercise,” Moitra said.
Protests against the SIR process continued both inside and outside Parliament. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a demonstration near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi within the Parliament complex. Holding placards marked “SIR”, the protestors later threw them into a dustbin, symbolically rejecting the EC’s move.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Demands Greater Transparency
Demanding greater transparency, Rahul Gandhi asked why the EC was refusing to share the data with all political parties. “What is the government hiding?” he asked. Inside Parliament, the uproar disrupted proceedings in both Houses. In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla attempted to begin Question Hour amid slogans from the Opposition benches.
The House was adjourned soon after. In the RS, Deputy Chairman Harivansh announced he had received several notices under Rule 267, including one on the SIR issue, but had to reject them for not meeting procedural norms. This led to a walkout by Opposition MPs and later adjournment.
