MC EXCLUSIVE SIR not poll issue in Bihar, BJP to get majority, says Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari (Courtesy: PTI photo)

Roads, transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari has accused the opposition of misleading people on the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, saying it is not a poll issue and the BJP will win the state.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting a comprehensive check of the voter rolls in the state, which goes to the polls later this year. The move has triggered a political firestorm, with the opposition accusing the government of disenfranchising a large section of the population and accusing the poll panel of working at the behest of the Centre, compromising its independence.

In an interview to Moneycontrol, Gadkari called these allegations “irresponsible and without basis… opposition is misleading the public.. SIR is not an issue in Bihar elections. BJP will win with a majority in the state”.

When asked about the Opposition questioning the the integrity of the Election Commission, Gadkari said, “When one loses election, one should not blame the Election Commission. We have also lost elections. Our election system is independent, fair and impartial. We are the largest democracy – this is irresponsible and without basis… nothing will come out of this”.

“Our agenda is to conduct independent, fair and impartial elections. Opposition party is misleading the public.”

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has questioned the outcome of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, accusing the BJP of rigging or stealing votes (vote chori). The EC has asked the opposition leader to file an affidavit in support of his claims, a demand rejected by Gandhi.

The Supreme Court is hearing the case challenging SIR and the recently-concluded monsoon session of Parliament saw the opposition disrupt the proceedings demanding a discussion on the issue.

When asked about him being one of the few cabinet ministers to be praised by the Opposition, Gadkari said, “I make National Highways, I have to do work for everyone and this is what I learnt during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s time. I am a BJP and RSS karyakarta but I am the nation’s minister.”

Watch the full interview