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BJP Clarifies SIR Workshop Not Party Initiative, Targets Congress on Voter Rolls

Andhra Pradesh BJP President PVN Madhav clarified that a Special Intensive Revision workshop in Vijayawada is an Election Commission-led voter registration process, not a party programme. He stated the SIR exercise aims to update electoral rolls and remove ineligible entries, a process also conducted during previous Congress administrations. Madhav alleged that unauthorized votes were registered during the YSRCP's tenure in the state. The clarification comes as the Election Commission announced schedules for upcoming Assembly polls in five states and union territories.

Key Points: BJP: SIR Workshop Not Party Programme, Targets Congress on Voters

  • SIR workshop is an Election Commission process
  • Aim is to update rolls and remove ineligible voters
  • Programme was also conducted under Congress regime
  • Will be implemented in 22 states from April
  • Allegations of unauthorized votes under YSRCP rule
2 min read

SIR workshop held in Vijayawada not party initiative, Andhra BJP president clarifies

Andhra BJP chief clarifies SIR workshop is an EC-led voter list revision, not a party event, and alleges unauthorized registrations under previous YSRCP regime.

"If infiltrators are removed, who will be upset? Only the Congress party. - PVN Madhav"

Amaravathi, March 16

A state-level Special Intensive Revision workshop was conducted in Vijayawada, with Andhra Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party president PVN Madhav clarifying that it was not a party-specific programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Madhav said that the SIR was recently discussed in Parliament. He clarified that it was not a BJP programme and that it was previously conducted in 2002, and was now being implemented again.

He said the programme was conducted under the supervision of the Election Commission (EC) and was a regular process in a democratic system. Madhav added that the SIR exercise was also carried out earlier during the Congress regime.

He explained that the SIR was essentially a voter registration process aimed at updating the electoral rolls and removing infiltrators or ineligible entries.

"If infiltrators are removed, who will be upset? Only the Congress party," he remarked.

He further stated that the programme has already been completed in four states and will be conducted in 22 states from April onwards.

The BJP leader said that many participants are attending this workshop and that the programme will continue for 90 days.

Madhav noted that a national-level workshop had already been conducted and that a similar workshop was now being organised in the state.

He also alleged that everyone was aware of how unauthorised votes were registered during the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) regime.

Earlier, the ECI announced the schedule for Assembly polls for Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry.

As per the announcement, the assembly elections will commence from April 9. Polling in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will be held on April 9 in a single phase. While in West Bengal, the first phase of voting is scheduled for April 23, followed by the second phase on April 29.

Tamil Nadu will hold its elections on April 23 in a single phase. Counting of votes for all five states and UTs is scheduled for May 4.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
Why is the BJP president so quick to clarify it's not a party programme? Feels like they are trying to distance themselves from a potentially controversial process. The timing, just before multiple state elections, is also very interesting.
A
Arjun K
Removing "infiltrators" from voter lists is crucial for national security. We've seen issues in border states for too long. If the Congress or YSRCP has a problem with this, it tells you everything about their priorities.
P
Priyanka N
As a citizen, I just want a fair and clean electoral process. Whether it was done in 2002 or now, if it's under the EC and helps remove duplicate/illegal votes, I support it. Let's keep politics out of basic admin work.
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Vikram M
The comment about "who will be upset" is unnecessary and politicizes what should be a neutral administrative activity. The EC must ensure this process is transparent and doesn't disenfranchise any eligible voter, regardless of which party they support.
K
Karthik V
Updating rolls before elections is standard practice. Hope they do it thoroughly in AP. We need accurate lists to avoid booth capturing and other malpractices that have happened in the past. Jai Hind!

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