Amit Shah Slams Rahul Gandhi Over SIR Row; Clash Over Voter Roll DeletionsA political war of words has broken out between the BJP and the Congress-led opposition over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Union Home Minister Amit Shah mounted a counterattack against Rahul Gandhi following the INDIA bloc's rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, terming it a rally to protect infiltrators.
Defending the voter roll revision process, Shah stated that approximately three crore absent names belonged to illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators who have been weeded out of the system. He questioned the opposition's challenge to the electoral process, pointing out BJP victories in 2014, 2019, and 2024 before the exercise began, and offered a special parliamentary debate on the matter.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi alleged that 15% of the electorate had been deleted since 2024, accusing the Election Commission of manipulation and demanding the resignation and prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The faceoff has also triggered debates over rally attendance and estimated trade disruptions.INDIA Alliance Rally: Tavleen Singh, Ashutosh and Rajat Sethi DebateA panel of prominent political commentators examines the political fallout of the INDIA Alliance rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan and the growing confrontation between the opposition and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Senior journalist and author Tavleen Singh notes the notable crowd turnout, remarking, 'this is the first time that I see real pushback against the government,' while expressing concern over the opposition's attacks on democratic institutions and the Election Commission. Political analyst Ashutosh asserts that the BJP leadership appears rattled by the opposition's street mobilization, questioning how the opposition can contest elections while challenging the credibility of the Chief Election Commissioner.
In contrast, political analyst Rajat Sethi argues that optics and protests in Delhi do not equate to grassroots organization or electoral success, noting that regional partners like the Samajwadi Party will not boycott the crucial Uttar Pradesh elections. The panel discusses the high stakes ahead of key state assembly polls.'Politics Is About Public Perception': Sushmita Dev on Ramlila Rally NumbersIn an interview with India Today, Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev countered Congress allegations regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and voter list revisions.
Calling Congress's claim that 13.36 crore voters were deleted a bluff, Dev clarified that the figure represents an unfinalized draft roll containing deceased, relocated, and untraceable individuals. Challenging the opposition's statements about crowds at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, she said, "Politics is about public perception," maintaining that responsible parties must expose exaggerated attendance claims.
Dev questioned how large numbers of voters become untraceable, explaining that such individuals are either non-existent entries or people lacking citizenship documentation. She noted that while the Election Commission cannot declare someone a foreigner, Foreigners Tribunals hold that authority.
Responding to queries about the ruling party's nationwide demonstrations, Dev described the BJP's protests as a strategic counter-effort to show ground strength against the INDI Alliance.'Gyanesh Kumar Has To Be Held Accountable': Renuka ChowdhuryCongress leader Renuka Chowdhury asserted that the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise is set to hurt the six poll-bound states, insisting that it must be dismantled and reconstructed. Speaking out on the opposition's ongoing agitation regarding electoral roll deletions and 'vote chori', she targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, stating, "And Gyanesh Kumar, of course, the chief criminal in this whole thing, has to be held accountable." Chowdhury dismissed claims of disunity within the INDIA bloc, maintaining that senior leaders were pacing their involvement and that common citizens had joined the demonstrations in large numbers in Delhi.
When asked how the opposition plans to translate street protests into electoral success in upcoming assembly contests like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, Chowdhury refused to disclose tactical moves. She concluded that the wider public is rallying against rising living costs, unemployment, and safety concerns, arguing that the public movement will inevitably press ahead.