"Have they become so weak?" Priyanka Gandhi slams Centre over Bihar SIR row discussion in Parliament

New Delhi [India], August 6(ANI): Opposition parties on Wednesday intensified their protest in the Parliament against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, accusing the Centre of evading accountability.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the government's reluctance to hold a debate, stating that the Opposition was "only asking for a discussion" and that the issue could be "easily resolved" if the ruling party was willing.
Speaking to ANI, Priyanka Gandhi said, "Have they become so weak? They are neither able to run the Parliament nor respond to Trump...We are only asking for a discussion. It is easy for them to resolve this..."
Soon after the Lok Sabha convened for the day, the House witnessed loud protests from the Opposition benches. Within two minutes, the session was adjourned till noon, with MPs continuing their protest outside.
DMK MP Kanimozhi also voiced concern over the government's refusal to entertain a discussion. "We want a discussion about it in Parliament, but they are not allowing it. It is not that one cannot discuss election reforms in Parliament. We have to, as it is important for democracy," Kanimozhi said during the protest.
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi questioned the Centre's reluctance to clarify its position. "The government should tell what it is afraid of. If there is no discussion in Parliament on the electoral process, where will it take place? The government should tell the truth," he added.
Congress MP Praniti Shinde remarked, "We want a discussion on SIR. But the BJP is not ready for discussion."
Meanwhile, on Friday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju clarified that the government is ready to hold discussions on any issue as per rules, but there cannot be a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as it is a process undertaken by a constitutional body, the Election Commission of India.
"I want to clarify that the government is ready to hold discussions on any issue as per the rules. There cannot be a discussion on SIR because it is a process undertaken by a Constitutional body, and it is not happening for the first time..." Rijiju told ANI.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) said that political parties had filed zero claims or objections since the publication of the draft electoral rolls in Bihar on August 1, up until 6th August (9 AM).
However, there are 3,659 claims and objections received directly from the electors with respect to the draft roll, said the ECI in a daily bulletin on the ongoing special intensive revision of electoral roll (SIR) in Bihar.
Forms received from New electors on attaining 18 years of age or above are 19,186.
As per the rules, the claims & objections are to be disposed of by the concerned Electoral Registration Officer/ Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (ERO/AERO) after the expiry of 7 days.
As per SIR orders, no name can be deleted from the draft list published on 1st August 2025, without passing a speaking order by the ERO/AERO after conducting an enquiry and after giving a fair and reasonable opportunity.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has sparked a political row, with the opposition INDIA bloc alleging that the revision process could lead to the deletion of a large number of voters. They have been protesting in the Parliament, demanding a discussion over the Bihar SIR, since the start of this year's Monsoon Session. (ANI)