Opposition links SIR protest to 'vote theft', Trump tariffs

INDIA bloc MPs on Friday expanded their canvas of protest in Parliament by adding to the issue of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar the "vote theft" charge levelled by the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the 50% tariff announced by the US on Indian imports.

The MPs held a protest outside Parliament by carrying placards about these three issues, before they staged a vociferous protest in the Lok Sabha, prompting the chair to adjourn the House after 11 am, following a brief attempt to proceed with the question hour, and later at 12 noon.

The Opposition MPs will intensify their protest on the SIR and "vote theft" issues on Monday, when they plan to take out a march from Parliament House. With the ruling side starting deliberations on its vice presidential candidate, the INDIA bloc could announce its candidate after BJP declares its nominee, people in the know said after the bloc's Thursday night meeting.


On Friday, the opposition MPs alleged that the government was blocking House discussion on SIR and "vote theft" issues. "The entire country is saying that the Election Commission should conduct an inquiry and tell the country what is happening. The government doesn't have the courage to discuss SIR in the House, so why would they allow a discussion on this (vote theft) issue in the House?" said Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule said the Opposition had plans to hold presentations on vote theft in more states. "Rahulji gave a detailed presentation before us (at INDIA bloc leaders' meeting on Thursday) and a discussion was held, on which (Sharad) Pawar sahib gave a suggestion that such a presentation should be presented in every state, district and talukas before all those who believe in democracy," she said.

The Opposition also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing to protect Indian farmers from the US tariff mattered little given his government's silence on the demands of the farmers, including a legally guaranteed minimum support price for their crops.