States » NorthPosted at: Oct 8 2026 5:59PM


Himachal BJP's Randhir Sharma attacks Congress over SIR protest, questions its stand on polls

Shimla, October 8 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh BJP media in-charge and MLA Randhir Sharma on Thursday criticised the Congress over its agitation against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the party was trying to create confusion among people by opposing a constitutional process.
Addressing a press conference here, Sharma said the Election Commission was empowered to revise electoral rolls under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
He said SIR was not a new exercise and had been undertaken on earlier occasions, including during the tenure of Congress governments.
Sharma alleged that the Congress had been raising allegations of “vote theft” and irregularities in electoral rolls, but was now opposing the very process aimed at identifying duplicate names, removing ineligible entries and ensuring that eligible citizens remained on the rolls.
“If Congress is genuinely concerned about irregularities in electoral rolls, it should cooperate with the revision process,” he said, questioning whether its earlier allegations were based on facts or political rhetoric.
Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Sharma said merely carrying a copy of the Constitution while making political statements did not demonstrate an understanding of constitutional provisions.
He urged the Congress leadership to explain why it was opposing revision of the same electoral rolls whose alleged irregularities it had repeatedly highlighted.
Sharma also accused the Congress of adopting a “double standard” on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the Election Commission.
He said the party accepted election results as a mandate when it won but questioned the credibility of EVMs and the poll panel when it lost.
He pointed out that the Congress governments in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka were elected through EVM-based polls, while its ally, the Aam Aadmi Party, also formed the government in Punjab following an EVM-based election. He asked why EVMs were considered reliable in states where the Congress or its allies won but questioned elsewhere.
Criticising the participation of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and ministers in protests against the Election Commission, Sharma said those holding constitutional positions were expected to maintain the dignity of constitutional institutions.
He questioned whether the Chief Minister would also challenge his own electoral victory and resign if he believed there were serious shortcomings in the EVM-based electoral process.
Sharma also accused the state government of having a confrontational approach towards the Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission on issues relating to local body elections, including reservations, delimitation, electoral rolls and poll preparations. He said the Congress should adopt a consistent approach towards constitutional institutions.
Referring to recent local body election results, Sharma claimed the BJP won in three of the four municipal corporations, while the Congress won one.
He said Panchayati Raj elections conducted through ballot papers also saw significant support for BJP-backed candidates, arguing that voters had demonstrated their choice irrespective of the mode of voting.
He alleged that the Congress was raising questions over electoral institutions to divert attention from its organisational and political weaknesses and should instead introspect.
Sharma said political parties having objections to SIR should raise them through facts and prescribed legal channels, particularly as related matters were before the courts.
He reiterated that the BJP supported transparent and accurate electoral rolls and protection of every eligible citizen’s right to vote.
UNI BN
Tags: #Himachal BJP's Randhir Sharma attacks Congress over SIR protest# questions its stand on polls
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