New Delhi, Dec 10 (NationPress) Union Home Minister Amit Shah provided a robust defense of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, tracing its roots to the formative years of India's democracy and accusing the Congress party of misleading the public regarding this important exercise.

“Up until 2004, there were no objections to SIR. This process is essential for enhancing elections and fostering a healthy democracy. If the voter list is compromised, how can we expect to hold free and fair elections?” Shah questioned.

He emphasized that the Constitution distinctly outlines the Election Commission's powers, the methodology for preparing voter lists, and the provisions for adjustments or enhancements.

“When these provisions were established, our party was not even in existence,” he noted.

Shah contended that duplicate entries are a prevalent issue that needs rectification.

“Should a voter have the ability to vote in multiple locations? This initiative aims to purify the electoral process,” he asserted.

During the ongoing debate on electoral reforms in the Lok Sabha, Shah stated that the initial SIR was conducted in 1952 under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, followed by updates in 1957 and 1961.

The revisions continued under Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1965 and 1966, and later under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1983-84, 1987, and 1989. It was also executed during the tenure of Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao in 1992–93 and 1995, and under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002-03. Following 2004, Shah noted that the latest revision is scheduled for 2025 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He claimed that the Opposition is anxious because SIR would eliminate the names of illegal immigrants, whom he alleges constitute part of their support base.

“Should illegal immigrants have the right to participate in elections in India?” he queried.

The debate, which began on Tuesday, has been marked by intense exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches.

Rahul Gandhi, visibly frustrated by Shah's comments, challenged him to debate the Congress's press conference statements. Shah countered that Gandhi's remarks from November 5 were exaggerated, referencing cases such as Bihar voter Minta Devi, who admitted to mistakenly completing her online form.

“When you win, the Election Commission is commendable; when you lose, it is deemed incompetent. Such double standards will not prevail,” Shah asserted.

Intensifying his critique, Shah suggested that “certain families are hereditary vote thieves,” naming Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

As Gandhi attempted to interject, Shah shot back, “Do not interrupt.”

The exchanges highlighted the growing rift between the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA Bloc concerning electoral reforms, with SIR becoming the latest flashpoint in the ongoing struggle for credibility and transparency within India's democratic framework.