Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has raised five questions against the Congress party over its electoral performance, the functioning of the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. His remarks came on October 31, a day before the INDIA bloc’s planned rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi. The Opposition alliance has organised the rally to protest against alleged irregularities in the voter list revision process and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In a post on social media platform X, Rijiju challenged the Congress to respond to what he described as basic questions about elections and voter registration. He also accused the party of attempting to undermine the Constitution and Indian democracy. These statements represent the minister’s political allegations and criticism of the Opposition party.
The first question raised by Rijiju concerned the Congress party’s performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. He asked how the party secured only 44 seats when the Election Commissioners had been appointed during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government. The question was intended to challenge the Congress’s criticism of the electoral system and the Election Commission.
His second question referred to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Rijiju pointed out that Gyanesh Kumar was not serving as the Chief Election Commissioner during those elections and questioned why the Congress had still faced another electoral defeat. Kumar was an Election Commissioner during the 2024 general elections and became Chief Election Commissioner in February 2025. Rijiju used this point to question the Congress’s allegations concerning the Election Commission.
The minister’s third question focused on Congress-led state governments. He asked whether the party’s current Chief Ministers would resign and apologise for forming governments between 2014 and 2026. This was framed as a challenge to the Congress in response to its claims about electoral processes. The question was part of Rijiju’s broader political criticism and was not a formal demand made through any constitutional or legal procedure.
His fourth question dealt directly with the Special Intensive Revision, commonly known as SIR. Rijiju asked whether names of deceased persons, people who had shifted their residence, duplicate entries and illegal immigrants should be removed from electoral rolls. He argued that voter lists should contain accurate information and questioned the Congress’s objections to the revision exercise.
The fifth question referred to earlier intensive revision exercises conducted in India. Rijiju listed revisions carried out during 1952–56, 1958–61, 1965–66, 1983–84, 1987–88, 1993, 1995 and 2002–04. He asked whether the Congress considered those earlier exercises illegal as well. Through this question, he sought to compare the present SIR process with previous voter list revision exercises.
The Special Intensive Revision has become a major political issue between the ruling BJP and Opposition parties. The Congress and other Opposition leaders have raised concerns about the revision of electoral rolls, including the possibility of eligible voters being removed and questions about the transparency of the process. They have also questioned the Election Commission’s handling of the exercise and the role of its senior officials.
The Election Commission, meanwhile, has defended its decision-making process. In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court on October 26, the poll panel rejected allegations that the Chief Election Commissioner had taken decisions unilaterally. It stated that orders relating to the SIR had been approved unanimously by the three-member Commission. The disagreement has therefore continued through political statements, public protests and legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi announced a march in Delhi ahead of the INDIA bloc rally. In a social media post, he invited people to join the march on November 1 and shared its proposed route. The march is scheduled to begin at the Minto Road junction near Connaught Place at 12 noon. Participants are expected to proceed towards Ajmeri Gate before reaching Ramlila Maidan.
The INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan is scheduled to focus on the Opposition’s concerns about the Special Intensive Revision and its demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Leaders from Opposition parties are expected to participate in the event. The rally is part of the alliance’s campaign against what it describes as irregularities in the electoral roll revision process.
However, the proposed march has also raised questions about police permission and security arrangements in the national capital. According to reports citing Delhi Police sources, permission had not been sought for the march from Connaught Place. Police sources also referred to restrictions in parts of the New Delhi area under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. These restrictions are relevant to public gatherings and movement in designated areas.
Rijiju’s five questions and Rahul Gandhi’s march announcement have added to the political debate surrounding electoral procedures in India. While the Union Minister has defended the need for voter list revision and questioned the Congress’s position, the Opposition has continued to demand accountability from the Election Commission. The INDIA bloc rally scheduled for November 1 is expected to bring these concerns into public focus.
The central issue remains the accuracy and transparency of electoral rolls and the procedures followed during their revision. The debate also highlights the wider political disagreement between the ruling party and the Opposition over the role of constitutional institutions in conducting elections. Any claims about irregularities or wrongdoing remain allegations unless established through the appropriate legal or official process.
