CPI M slams Election Commission over Bihar SIR, calls out ‘partisan’ role

New Delhi: The CPI M Polit Bureau, in a statement, accused the Election Commission of acting in a partisan manner that clearly favors the BJP during Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This came after the Supreme Court directed the Commission to publish the names of 65 lakh voters deleted during the exercise along with the reasons. The statement added that the SIR violated Article 326 and threatened mass disenfranchisement of minorities, women, and the poor.

The Polit Bureau said opposition concerns were summarily dismissed by the Election Commission, forcing them to approach the Supreme Court. It welcomed the court’s order as a step to protect citizens’ rights and charged that the Commission’s conduct has undermined its independent character.

The statement noted that protests had erupted in Parliament and on Delhi’s streets against the SIR and said the INDIA bloc will launch a 16-day ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ across 25 Bihar districts, culminating in a rally in Patna on 1 September.

The Polit Bureau also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech, saying he sought to legitimise the RSS and had announced a ‘Demographic Mission’ that would be used to target Muslim minorities. It described this as part of a campaign to portray Muslims as outsiders.

On Parliament, the statement condemned the government’s refusal to allow a discussion on the SIR and said key bills, including the Sports Bill and amendments to the Mines and Minerals and Nuclear Liability Acts, were being pushed through without debate. It said these measures infringe on states’ rights and open vital sectors to private and foreign capital.

The Polit Bureau further criticised the US decision to impose 50 per cent tariffs on India and warned that cutting Russian oil imports would fuel inflation. It urged the Union government not to succumb to US pressure and instead strengthen multipolar relations.

On Jammu and Kashmir, the statement said five years after the abrogation of Article 370, none of the Union government’s promises had materialised. It said terrorism had not been curbed, security for the people had not improved, and democratic rights continued to be trampled. It demanded immediate restoration of statehood with autonomy.

The Polit Bureau also accused the BJP-led Maharashtra government of communal bias for not appealing against the acquittal in the Malegaon blasts case while moving swiftly in the Mumbai train blasts case. It demanded an appeal in the Supreme Court.

On the vice-presidential election, the statement said the CPI M would coordinate with the INDIA bloc and other opposition parties to ensure the success of joint candidate Justice B Sudershan Reddy.