Opposition gathers to plan SIR fightback, vice president's election

A meeting of the INDIA bloc organisational leaders will be held in Delhi on Thursday to discuss, among other things, ways to deal with the situation arising out of the deletion of about 6.5 million voters following the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and the plan to extend the SIR drive to other states,

The meeting will also discuss the Congress and some other opposition parties' questions on the conduct of the Election Commission (EC) and alleged "vote theft" in many elections, besides firming up the opposition bloc's approach to the upcoming election for the vice president of India, according to people familiar with the matter.

Two days ahead of the INDIA bloc meeting, the Congress led by Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to make a presentation in Bengaluru about alleged electoral irregularities in Karnataka. Gandhi is expected to make a presentation at the INDIA bloc meeting at his official residence about the "evidence" of alleged "vote theft and the EC's role in it", some leaders indicated.


Options on SIR

The meeting will discuss the way forward, including launching a united agitation in Bihar and across the nation. While some leaders like the RJD's Tejaswi Yadav had earlier spoken about the option of boycotting the Bihar assembly election, some opposition leaders are of the view that since the SIR case is being heard by the apex court, and pending provisions within SIR for the aggrieved to seek redressal, all options must be explored, besides mobilising public agitation, before thinking in terms of "extreme courses" like election boycott.

"While all options are open, we will see first how the Supreme Court matter plays out and how the EC deals with the complaints about those who have been excluded from the Bihar list," said an opposition leader, who did not wish to be identified. Opposition MPs will further intensity their protest in Parliament against SIR this week and will stage demonstrations outside against the government and the EC.

VP poll
With the last day for filing nomination for the vice president's election being August 21, the opposition bloc may discuss whether the dominant view is to field a candidate, in an election where the ruling BJP-led NDA has a clear majority to win, or opt out of the contest.