In Mumbai on 10 October, Shiv Sena‑UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi warned about the new “Special Intensive Revision” (SIR) rule that is set to roll out in West Bengal. She said the move looks like a planned conspiracy and casts doubt on the Election Commission of India’s neutrality.
Chaturvedi told that the SIR procedure “has already been tested in Bihar, Maharashtra, Odisha, Haryana and Delhi.” In each place she claims that the rule intentionally removes voters who lean toward the opposition. A Supreme Court case over the policy in Bihar shows “pro‑opposition voters are being strategically eliminated,” she said. She added that parties such as the Biju Janata Dal and the Aam Aadmi Party have already suffered from the same tactic.
According to Chaturvedi, if the West Bengal election commission implements the SIR rules in the same way, it will look “like a calculated conspiracy.” She questioned whether the Election Commission, which is also headed by a BJP member, can remain impartial. “At this point the ECI office might as well be merged with the BJP office; it would save money,” she said.
The MP also addressed the turmoil in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar. “What’s happening in Bihar is part of the BJP’s long‑standing strategy,” she said. “They build alliances for decades and then break them once they lose power, as they did with our party in Maharashtra. This is a clear violation of the Constitution and a shameful, destructive conspiracy.”
Chaturvedi countered a criticism from AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who called Prime Minister Modi’s praise of Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu “the world’s biggest thug.” The MP said India’s foreign policy has always supported both Israel and Palestine. “During a two‑year war in the Middle East, any steps toward peace deserve support, not negative narratives,” she added. She stressed that India has supplied medical and food aid to Gaza.
Later, Chaturvedi responded to Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s remarks about India being a close friend. She noted India’s long‑standing partnership with Afghanistan and its support for Afghan cricket. However, she condemned the Taliban’s restrictions on women and urged India to question continued cooperation with a regime that suppresses women’s rights.
The MP’s comments come as West Bengal prepares to adopt the SIR procedure before the state’s upcoming assembly elections. Observers will watch whether the change affects voter turnout and party campaigning in the region.
Source: ianslive
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