Union Minister Kiren Rijiju used his X post on 31 Oct 2026 to question the Congress about its repeated Lok Sabha losses and its stance on the SIR of electoral rolls.
Key Developments
- Rijiju posted five pointed questions demanding explanations for Congress’s 44‑seat outcome in the 2014 Lok Sabha election despite the Election Commissioners being appointed by the then‑Congress government.
- He highlighted that the 2024 Lok Sabha poll was conducted when Gyanesh Kumar was not yet CEC, yet Congress suffered a third consecutive defeat.
- Rijiju asked whether current Congress chief ministers would resign and apologise for forming governments after the 2014‑2026 elections.
- He defended the removal of illegal immigrants, deceased, shifted or duplicate voters from the rolls and asked if similar past SIR exercises (1952‑56, 1958‑61, etc.) were illegal.
- The Minister warned that a “one‑family party with outside forces” is trying to undermine the Constitution and Indian democracy.
Important Facts
The Lok Sabha elections of 2014, 2019, and 2024 saw Congress reduced to 44, 52, and 45 seats respectively. The CEC during the 2024 poll was still an Election Commissioner; he became CEC only in February 2025.
On 26 Oct 2026, the Supreme Court received an affidavit from the Election Commission denying any unilateral decision‑making in the SIR process, stating that all orders were approved unanimously by the three‑member poll panel.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the dynamics between the ECI and political parties is crucial for GS‑2 (Polity) questions on electoral reforms, the independence of institutions, and the functioning of democratic processes.
The debate over SIR touches upon the integrity of the electoral roll, a recurring theme in UPSC essays on “clean politics” and “strengthening democratic institutions.”
Way Forward
- All stakeholders should ensure that SIR exercises are transparent, data‑driven, and free from partisan bias.
- The Election Commission may consider publishing detailed methodology and periodic audits to build public confidence.
- Political parties, including Congress, should address internal organizational weaknesses that led to repeated electoral setbacks.
- Parliamentary committees could examine the legal framework governing SIR to prevent future disputes.
These steps can help safeguard the Constitution, maintain the credibility of the electoral process, and restore public trust in democratic institutions.