Union Home Minister Amit Shah says the government is ready to convene a special session of Parliament on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the Opposition’s “vote chori” allegations. He challenged Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders to debate the issues in the House.
The offer came during a BJP padyatra in Hyderabad on November 2, held under the slogan “Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao” (“Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy”). Shah accused the INDIA bloc of opposing SIR to shield illegal infiltrators. He said the Election Commission of India (ECI), not the government, administers the voter-roll exercise. These are the minister’s assertions.
The Opposition has raised concerns about voter deletions, verification rules and deadline extensions, arguing that eligible voters could be excluded. It has called the process “vote chori,” or vote theft. The allegations are disputed.
Shah’s remarks were an offer to hold a debate, not an announcement of a scheduled session. As of November 3, no date or agenda had been disclosed.
The challenge followed an INDIA bloc rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1, where leaders protested SIR and called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
The ECI recently revised the SIR calendar in six states and Delhi, extending time for voter claims and objections. Delhi’s final roll is scheduled for December 22; Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana and Nagaland are due November 30. The revised timetable gives voters more time to submit information, though dates now differ by location.

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