New Delhi, September 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Union Minister and Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Wednesday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging serious flaws in the process and pointing to reported disagreements within the poll panel.
Speaking to IANS, Chidambaram alleged that the SIR exercise had been questioned by two Election Commissioners, who had reportedly raised 14 disagreements with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
“The Election Commission is totally wrong. The SIR process has been doubted by the two Election Commissioners, and they have pointed out that there were 14 disagreements between the Election Commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner,” he said.
Chidambaram also referred to alleged errors in the electoral roll revision process in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Haryana, arguing that the reported mistakes raised questions about the exercise.
“Too many mistakes have been pointed out in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Haryana. So many mistakes have been pointed out in the past. The SIR process is deeply flawed. If it was not flawed, why should the Election Commission meet again and change the process? What happened a few days ago should be totally scrapped,” he said.
Reports of differences within the three-member Election Commission over aspects of the SIR exercise have triggered a political controversy. According to reports, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections on several issues over a period of 10 months.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that the final decisions on the SIR exercise were unanimous and that observations raised during the process formed part of its internal deliberations.
The INDIA bloc is scheduled to meet in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the controversy surrounding the Election Commission and formulate a joint strategy on the SIR process.
The meeting is also expected to consider a proposed nationwide campaign, including protests and public rallies targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. An impeachment motion against him in Parliament is also likely to be discussed.
The meeting follows a resolution adopted by the Congress Working Committee seeking Kumar’s removal and raising concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission.
Opposition parties have intensified their criticism of the poll panel following reports of differences between the two Election Commissioners and the CEC over electoral roll revisions. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also alleged irregularities in the electoral process, while the Election Commission has rejected claims that decisions were taken without the approval of its members.
The proposed INDIA bloc campaign is expected to begin with a series of rallies, including one at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, followed by programmes in other states. The alliance may also announce the date of its first major rally during Wednesday’s meeting.
Several senior Opposition leaders are expected to attend the meeting. Congress is likely to be represented by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.
Trinamool Congress leaders Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Kalyan Banerjee and Derek O’Brien are also expected to participate, along with leaders of Left parties.
Other leaders expected to attend include Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is expected to participate virtually, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is unlikely to attend. Senior SP leader Harendra Malik is set to represent the party.
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