Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Dilip Jaiswal delivered a stern warning to Congress on Tuesday, declaring their voter list rectification campaigns pointless without adhering to the mandatory Special Intensive Revision (SIR) protocol. Addressing reporters amid rising political tensions, Jaiswal laid bare the inadequacies of opposition strategies.
Voter rolls in UP have long been mired in inaccuracies—from bogus entries to names of long-deceased persons still listed. Jaiswal detailed how SIR’s rigorous methodology, involving physical verification and cross-checks, stands as the gold standard for reforms. ‘Congress’s half-hearted approaches are exercises in futility,’ he remarked sharply.
Citing official figures, the minister pointed to over 10,000 suspect entries in urban districts alone, many tied to alleged malpractices favoring certain parties. He portrayed SIR not just as a procedural step but a safeguard against electoral fraud, ensuring every genuine citizen’s vote counts.
The Congress, Jaiswal alleged, prefers quick fixes that evade scrutiny, undermining the Election Commission’s authority. This comes as the party ramps up grassroots drives, which the minister branded as ‘photo-op politics’ devoid of substance.
With elections on the horizon, Jaiswal called for bipartisan support to expedite SIR, warning that delays could erode public trust. Observers see this as part of broader BJP efforts to fortify its electoral base through administrative diligence, contrasting with rivals’ sporadic interventions. The process’s success will be a litmus test for UP’s poll preparedness.