New Delhi: Political temperatures are running high these days over the ‘Special Intensive Revision’ (SIR) process. Leaders from the government and opposition parties have clashed, with an ongoing debate regarding the Election Commission’s functioning. Amidst this, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and MP from Raebareli.
Speaking at a press conference, he remarked that constantly questioning the country’s democratic institutions and the judiciary is highly unfortunate for the nation’s democracy. He added that questioning the electoral system is also wrong. CM Yogi did not stop there; he pointed out that SIR exercises have been conducted across the country in the past as well.
CM Yogi Targets Opposition Parties
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath stated that Rahul Gandhi frequently raises questions on international platforms—sometimes regarding EVMs, at other times about the electoral system, or the impartiality of the Indian judiciary—and that casting doubt on the world’s largest democracy is extremely unfortunate. Yogi further targeted opposition parties, noting that when they win, they attribute it to their own efforts, but when they lose, they question the system itself.
Speaking to the media, Yogi Adityanath added, “Former Congress President and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi also raised questions about India’s judiciary while in Cambridge. Beyond questioning the impartiality of the Indian judicial system, he attempted to put it in the dock.
He further noted that questions were raised regarding the CAG’s observations on the Rafale issue in 2019. “Then, questions were raised about EVMs, the very machines that enabled the formation of Congress governments at the Centre and in several states.” Yogi Adityanath remarked that labelling EVMs as a ‘black box’ and casting doubt on India’s electoral system and the world’s largest democracy in this manner is deeply unfortunate.
SIRs Have Been Conducted Before – Yogi Adityanath
CM Yogi Adityanath stated that the Congress and opposition parties have consistently harboured an attitude of undermining India’s constitutional institutions; they have been part of every conspiracy to weaken democratic values for the sake of their own political self-interest, thereby causing harm to the world’s largest democracy.
Astonishingly, the actions and statements of the country’s main opposition party and its allies are irresponsible and detrimental to democratic values. Yogi remarked that this is not the first time the Election Commission has conducted a Special Intensive Revision (SIR); such exercises have been carried out previously, be it in 1952, 1965, or 2003.
