"Once they answer, House proceedings can begin": Gaurav Gogoi on Opposition's demand to discuss SIR exercise

New Delhi [India], July 24 (ANI): Amid recurring adjournments in the Lower House of the Parliament, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Thursday said that the Lok Sabha can resume after the Centre answers Opposition's demand to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter list in Bihar.
Gogoi told ANI, "For the last three days, we are demanding a discussion on the SIR, but not a single response has come from the BJP ministers so far. We just want to ask them whether or not there will be a discussion on SIR. Yes or no. Once they answer, the House proceedings can begin."
Demanding a discussion in the Parliament, he said that the Opposition wants to present the public's view on the issue.
"Election Commission putting forward their view does not mean that there should not be a discussion in the Parliament. Here, everyone is a representative of the public, and we want to present the public's view in Parliament," he said.
The Congress MP added that the public wants to hear from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and a discussion in Parliament will bring both sides to the SIR exercise.
"The public wants to listen to the central government and Prime Minister Modi. So, a discussion should happen where they bring forward their view, and we will keep the reality, and the nation can listen to both views," he told ANI.
Further, Gogoi said, "The nation is listening only to Election Commission's stand. Public representatives are unable to keep their stand in the Parliament. Public problems are being hidden. This is a disrespect to the Parliament."
Earlier today, Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa slammed Election Commission of India, saying that it is no longer the ECI but has become the party office of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Speaking to ANI, Randhawa asserted that the SIR is a very serious issue.
"It is a very serious issue. Election Commission is working only to form the BJP government. It is no longer the Election Commission, but it has become the BJP's party office," the Congress MP said.
Meanwhile, the proceedings in the Lower House of the Parliament were adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday amid sloganeering by the Opposition.
The Lower House began at 11 am on Thursday. However, amid ruckus by the Opposition, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till 2 pm. (ANI)