"Not SIR but mass deletion program": RJD's Manoj Jha accuses EC

New Delhi [India], August 6 (ANI): Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha on Wednesday criticised Election Commission over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of the assembly election in state.
Speaking with ANI, Jha said, "This is not SIR but a mass deletion program...This is seriously undemocratic."
Additionally, Congress MP Rajeev Shukla vowed that the Opposition will continue their protest against SIR, terming the process as "vote theft."
"Our protest will continue. The people cannot tolerate this theft of votes," he said.
Reiterating the Opposition's demand for discussion on SIR in Parliament, TMC MP Saayoni Ghosh said that the Prime Minister and Home Minister are afraid of holding a discussion.
"We are protesting to demand a discussion. But our PM and HM are afraid of holding a discussion."
India bloc MPs, including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest in the Parliament House complex, voicing strong opposition to the Election Commission's voter roll revision in Bihar.
The protesting members, including Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, held a banner which reads "The SIR: Demand discussion not deletion!".
While speaking to ANI, Priyanka 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..."
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. (ANI)