FORMER CM HITS BACK OVER SIR ROW

FORMER CM HITS BACK OVER SIR ROW

28-SEP-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi described the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) as a constitutional process and termed the questions being raised about the Election Commission's decisions as inappropriate. He stated that the Commission's procedure allows concerned parties to present their views, and the situation will become clear once the final voter list is released.

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi responded to comments made by the opposition as well as Chirag Paswan regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and the Election Commission. He stated that the Election Commission is a constitutional body, and it is improper to raise unnecessary questions about its decisions. Describing the SIR as a completely constitutional process, he noted that the final decision is reached through consensus.

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi reacted to statements from the opposition and Chirag Paswan concerning the Election Commission, the SIR, and the resulting political controversy. He reiterated that the Election Commission is a constitutional body operating within its constitutional mandate; therefore, questioning its decisions without cause is inappropriate.

Regarding Chirag Paswan's statement on the Election Commission, Manjhi said he did not wish to comment on exactly what was said. However, he noted that there has been no precedent for the Election Commission's chairperson or other members to make their individual decisions public. Advertisement

He stated that if such a constitutional provision exists, it must be adhered to; however, regarding decisions concerning the SIR (Special Summary Revision), the final decision is reached through consensus. Citing an example, he noted that while there may be differing opinions during Cabinet meetings, the Prime Minister's decision is ultimately considered the government's decision. Similarly, deliberations may take place within the Election Commission, but the final decision is made collectively under the leadership of the Chief Election Commissioner.

Manjhi stated that the Election Commission is functioning in accordance with its constitutional obligations and boundaries. If an individual questions this, it is merely their personal opinion; he has nothing to do with it.

Manjhi reacted sharply to comments made by Congress leaders suggesting that the Election Commission should be made the Prime Minister. He remarked that while anyone could theoretically propose making someone the UN Secretary-General, such statements hold no weight. He added that the opposition is left with no substantive issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is elevating the country's stature on international platforms, whereas the opposition is engaging in politics over trivial matters. He asserted that such statements do not warrant serious attention.

Regarding a political party issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to the Election Commission, Manjhi said that issuing ultimatums based on baseless allegations achieves nothing. He explained that the objective of the SIR is not to remove the names of eligible voters, but to delete the names of individuals who do not meet the eligibility criteria set by the Indian Constitution. He noted that previously, the names of many ineligible individuals had been included in the electoral rolls; these are now being identified, and the list is being cleansed. This entire process is being conducted in compliance with technical and constitutional rules.

Manjhi stated that the Election Commission is not arbitrarily deleting anyone's name. Throughout the process, the concerned individuals are issued notices and given a full opportunity to present their side; a final decision is reached only after the stipulated timeframe has elapsed. Despite this, raising objections amounts to nothing more than questioning the process for political motives.

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Responding to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi's request for details regarding the majority decision, Manjhi stated that the Election Commission is conducting the entire process transparently. The revised electoral roll will be made public on schedule, clearly indicating whose names have been added or removed. Therefore, there is no need to separately seek information about the majority or the decision-making process. He added that the Election Commission is fulfilling its constitutional responsibility, and all facts will naturally come to light once the final list is published.