In the midst of the ongoing controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists and the functioning of the Election Commission, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its counter-attack against the Congress party in Jaipur. BJP State President Madan Rathore responded sharply to the criticisms leveled by former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Rathore suggested that instead of commenting on the advice given by the BJP's national leadership, Gehlot should focus on the conduct and behavior of his own party leaders. This political confrontation highlights the deepening divide between the two major parties over administrative electoral processes.
Institutional Procedures vs. Show of Strength
Madan Rathore emphasized that there is a set protocol for meeting the Election Commissioner to register complaints. He criticized the Congress party's approach of arriving with hundreds of supporters, describing it as an inappropriate show of strength rather than a formal grievance redressal. According to Rathore, Congress leaders should seek an appointment and present their facts and arguments through a limited delegation. He noted that BJP National President Nitin Naveen had also offered similar advice to the Congress. Rathore pointed out that Congress often talks about meeting the commission with 240 or even 400 people, whereas resolving complaints requires following established institutional procedures.
Questions on Leadership Conduct
Moving beyond the SIR and Election Commission issues, Rathore brought up the conduct of Rahul Gandhi and the JNU incident into the political debate. He questioned Ashok Gehlot on why he remains silent regarding the alleged behavior of Rahul Gandhi, which the BJP describes as indecent towards a female police officer. Rathore stated that leaders holding public offices are expected to behave with dignity, and their conduct should align with the prestige of the position of the Leader of the Opposition. On top of that, referring to the JNU-related case, Rathore sought answers from the Congress leadership regarding serious allegations against Congress MP and Professor Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam involving female students. He asserted that political parties must take a clear stand on matters concerning the safety and respect of female students, though he added that these are allegations and the final determination of guilt would depend on the relevant investigation and legal process.
SIR as a Necessary Democratic Process
Mannalal Rawat, the National President of the BJP ST Morcha, defended the SIR process, stating that a reliable voter list is a fundamental requirement for democracy. He argued that the purification process of the voter list shouldn't be viewed through the lens of political distrust. Rawat pointed out that the purification of voter lists isn't a new system and has been carried out during various periods, including during the tenure of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He emphasized that the Election Commission is performing this task as a constitutional body. Rawat found the Congress's objections unfortunate, noting that a trustworthy voter list is crucial for the fairness of elections. He also mentioned that Congress had previously demanded improvements in the voter list and suggested that instead of questioning the SIR, there should be a discussion on the facts of the process.
Legal Validity and Historical Context
Rawat further cited the example of Kerala, where a Congress government was formed following an SIR process, arguing that it's unfair to portray this procedure as an action against any single political party. He claimed that the Supreme Court has also validated the SIR process. The statements from both BJP leaders indicate that the issue of voter list revision has moved beyond a mere administrative procedure and has become a central point of political accusations and counter-accusations between the BJP and the Congress.