BJP plans nationwide push to counter campaign against SIR

NEW DELHI: The BJP is gearing up for a nationwide political and communication offensive to counter the Opposition's campaign against the ECI's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The party plans to take its "Prajatantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao" (Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy) message to the ground through rallies, marches and public programmes.

The strategy is being worked out as INDIA bloc, including Congress, prepares to intensify their campaign against SIR and demand the removal of the CEC, including a proposed rally in Delhi on November 1. BJP is now looking to move beyond responding to Opposition's allegations and take the fight directly to the people, with senior leaders expected to lead the campaign across states.

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A meeting was held at the BJP headquarters on Sunday, with senior leaders from across the country discussing the party's political and communication strategy. Home minister Amit Shah, BJP president Nitin Nabin and other leaders attended the meeting, along with communication in-charge, Anil Baluni. The consultations are part of a series of meetings held within the party and government circles over the past few days. Shah is scheduled to visit Karnal on November 5, where he is expected to address rallies and participate in a march as part of the campaign.

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Similar programmes are being planned across the country as the BJP seeks to mount a coordinated response to the Opposition's campaign against SIR. The party's messaging is also increasingly focused on highlighting what it describes as the Congress's own record on electoral-roll revisions.

Union minister Bhupender Yadav on Sunday sought to counter the Opposition, saying that intensive electoral-roll revisions had been carried out eight times during the Congress rule and that it was the Congress that introduced EVMs.