The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress of making “U-turns” over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and has demanded that the opposition party apologise publicly.The BJP's latest remarks came after the Election Commission issued a joint statement saying that decisions related to the SIR exercise had been taken unanimously by all three election commissioners.Key HighlightsBJP accused Congress of changing its position on the SIR process.The party demanded a public apology from Congress.The Election Commission said SIR-related decisions were taken unanimously.BJP leaders cited the Election Commission's September 26 statement.Congress has continued to raise concerns about the poll panel and SIR.BJP Questions Congress Over SIR StandThe BJP has stepped up its criticism of Congress following the Election Commission's clarification on the SIR process.BJP leaders said Congress and other opposition parties had questioned the Election Commission's functioning and raised concerns about the conduct of the electoral-roll revision exercise. The BJP now argues that the Election Commission's latest statement contradicts some of the allegations made by the opposition.The party has therefore sought an apology from Congress, particularly over its criticism of the poll panel and the SIR process.What the Election Commission SaidIn its September 26 joint statement, the Election Commission said that major decisions concerning the SIR exercise were taken with the concurrence of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.The commission also said the original SIR order issued on June 24, 2025, and schedules for different phases were approved unanimously.The Election Commission further addressed concerns surrounding Form 6, stating that the declaration used during the SIR process had been upheld by the Supreme Court, while the existing Form 6 under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, continued to apply outside the SIR process.Congress and Opposition Continue to Raise ConcernsThe BJP's demand for an apology comes amid continuing criticism from Congress and other opposition parties regarding the Election Commission and the SIR exercise.The opposition has questioned aspects of the electoral-roll revision process and the functioning of the poll panel. Congress leaders have rejected the BJP's demand for an apology and have continued to raise their concerns about the Election Commission.The dispute also follows reports about objections allegedly raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi regarding certain SIR-related decisions. The Election Commission's subsequent statement said that decisions concerning the exercise had received unanimous approval.BJP Seeks Apology From CongressBJP leaders have argued that the Election Commission's clarification addresses several questions raised by Congress and the wider opposition.The party is now asking Congress to withdraw what it describes as unsupported allegations and issue an apology to the Election Commission and the public. The demand is part of a wider political dispute over electoral-roll revision and the functioning of India's election machinery.The controversy over SIR is expected to remain a significant political issue as parties debate electoral-roll verification, voter registration and the role of the Election Commission.
