A political confrontation between the BJP and opposition parties over the Election Commission intensified on September 28, with both sides trading fresh charges. The row centres on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged bias in the poll panel’s functioning.

Opposition parties, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, have accused the Commission of operating under pressure and disenfranchising voters, calling its conduct an assault on democracy. They have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and say the INDIA bloc is weighing an impeachment motion. The opposition also wants the SIR process scrapped, alleging vote manipulation favouring the ruling party.

The BJP hit back strongly. Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi dismissed Gandhi’s claims, while MP Sambit Patra called the opposition’s attack a nefarious design to undermine the Constitution. BJP leaders cited an Election Commission statement saying all SIR-related orders were approved unanimously by the three election commissioners, with changes to voter forms upheld by the Supreme Court.

The fight is expected to escalate at the INDIA bloc’s September 30 strategy meeting, where the CEC’s removal is on the agenda.