Mahua Moitra Slams ECI, Calls It ‘BJP’s Branch’ During Protests Over SIR

During protests surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar, TMC MP Mahua Moitra alleged on Friday that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is functioning more like an extension of the Bharatiya Janata Party, a move she said is unprecedented in India’s history.

Moitra claimed that the ECI is biased, adding, “The Chief Election Commissioner speaks like a BJP spokesperson. In just 24 hours, the number of untraceable voters rose from over 11,000 to more than 1 lakh. If the Home Ministry says there are 56 lakh illegal voters in Bihar, where did they all come from?”

Congress Joins Protests, Criticises Prime Minister’s Absence

"Earlier, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying people across the country are worried about whether the Election Commission is being fair. He pointed out that while the SIR process is under question, the PM is overseas. Gogoi said the government is skipping important Parliament talks by staying away when key issues are being discussed.

Gogoi further alleged that the Election Commission had previously acted improperly during Assam’s delimitation exercise in 2023—claiming the changes favoured the BJP in both national and state elections.

Opposition Protests and Parliamentary Response

The SIR process in Bihar has triggered major controversy, with the opposition INDIA bloc accusing the government of using the exercise to erase a large number of voters. MPs from different parties protested both inside and outside Parliament. Rabid protests took place in the Rajya Sabha, where several MPs raised Suspension of Business notices, demanding discussion on the vote revision process.

Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, also joined demonstrations near the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex. They tore down the SIR posters as a symbolic way to show they are against the revision process.

Political Fallout and Stakes Ahead

The controversy over Bihar’s voter roll revision has intensified political tensions ahead of the polls. Opposition parties argue that this could change the electoral landscape in the state. Their protests and warnings about ECI’s impartiality highlight fears of electoral manipulation.

Supporters of the current government, meanwhile, defend the revision as a legitimate administrative exercise meant to clean up outdated voter lists. The debate now shifts to whether Parliament will hold meaningful discussion during the ongoing Monsoon Session and whether the voices of dissenting MPs will be heard.