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Parliament Winter Session: Rahul Gandhi Leads Opposition Charge Against SIR 'Voter Fraud'

The Winter Session's second day began with a major protest by Opposition MPs in Parliament. Led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, they demonstrated against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter verification drive. They held banners calling it "vote chori" and demanding an urgent discussion on alleged electoral manipulation. This confrontation threatens to disrupt the already short session and its legislative agenda.

Key Points: Rahul Gandhi Priyanka Gandhi Lead Opposition SIR Protest in Parliament

  • Opposition MPs held placards demanding discussion on 'biased' voter verification drive
  • Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi led the charge, accusing the government of 'electoral rolls manipulation'
  • The protest risks derailing the short Winter Session and its 14 planned bills
  • The SIR exercise is a 'voter purge' according to ECI but 'vote chori' according to the Opposition
2 min read

Oppn stages protest in Parliament premises, Rahul and Priyanka lead charge over SIR 

Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi lead Opposition MPs in Parliament protest against SIR voter verification, calling it 'vote chori' and demanding urgent discussion.

"Our fight against injustice and attempt to 'silence the democracy' will continue. - Mallikarjun Kharge"

New Delhi, Dec 2

The beginning of Day 2 of the Parliament's Winter Session was marked by protests and demonstrations as the Opposition members kept up the heat on the government over issues of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and electoral reforms.

Several lawmakers, from the Opposition parties, stood in the Parliament premises, before the beginning of the session, holding placards and banners and demanding urgent discussion in the House over ECI’s "biased and partisan" voter verification drive, currently ongoing in 12 states and union territories (UTs).

Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led the stir, holding the government accountable for "voter fraud" and "electoral rolls manipulation" under the guise of the SIR exercise. Sonia Gandhi also joined the protest.

The banners displayed by Opposition MPs read -- “End SIR, stop vote chori”, suggesting that they are unrelenting in their demands over discussion on SIR and electoral reforms, an issue that led to the washout of the first day of Parliament.

Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking to scribes, said that their fight against injustice and attempt to “silence the democracy” will continue.

The SIR, described by ECI as an essential “voter purge” exercise ahead of elections, has left the government and Opposition sharply divided – the reflection of which was visible on Day 1 of Parliament.

Opposition maintains that the SIR is nothing but backdoor tactics to further voter fraud and vote chori in elections and is being pursued at the behest of the ruling BJP to benefit it, a claim dismissed by the latter as “a figment of imagination”.

With the Opposition upping the ante on SIR and the government not yielding to their demands, the short Winter Session risks getting marred by altercation and confrontation over legislative business.

Notably, this year's winter session is one of the shortest, from December 1 to December 19. The government has planned to introduce 13 legislative bills and one financial bill during this session, having 15 sittings over a period of 19 days.

Opposition has armed itself with many issues, including Delhi’s Red Fort blast, air pollution in Delhi-NCR; however, SIR remains the most potent topic on which it wants to corner the government.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Protesting is their right, but isn't Parliament for passing laws? With only 15 sittings, so many important bills are pending. Both sides need to find a middle ground. This constant disruption helps no one, especially the common citizen. 🙏
A
Arjun K
"Vote chori" is a serious allegation. If the ECI's process is transparent, they should welcome a discussion. The government avoiding it only fuels doubts. Our democracy's strength is in debate, not in washing out sessions.
S
Sarah B
As an observer, it's fascinating yet worrying. The focus seems entirely on political point-scoring. What about the legislative agenda? Issues like air pollution affect millions daily. Hope they move beyond theatrics soon.
V
Vikram M
The timing is everything. A short session, a controversial voter revision drive before elections... it doesn't look good. The Opposition is right to raise the issue. Jai Hind!
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, while the protest is their democratic duty, the messaging feels repetitive. "Vote chori" slogans won't convince anyone. They need to present a concrete, data-backed alternative to SIR. That's how you hold power accountable.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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