Congress misleading public over SIR: Randhir Sharma

BJP state media in-charge and Shri Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma on Thursday criticized the Congress over its protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, calling the agitation unconstitutional and accusing the party of misleading the public.

While addressing a press conference in Shimla, Sharma questioned the Congress’ opposition to the revision of electoral rolls, saying the party alleges “vote theft” but now opposes the process of electoral roll purification. Sharma said Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, empower the Election Commission to conduct electoral roll revisions. He said the SIR was also conducted in 2002-2004 and 2025, and questioned why the Congress had not raised objections then.

He accused the Congress of a “double standard”: accepting election mandates when it wins through EVMs but questioning the Election Commission and EVMs after losing elections. Sharma said the Congress had won elections through EVMs in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, while the Aam Aadmi Party had won in Punjab using EVMs. He questioned why the machines were being questioned after electoral defeats.

Targeting Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Sharma asked whether the Chief Minister, who has raised questions over the Election Commission, would also question his own electoral victory and resign from his post.
“People holding constitutional posts should maintain dignity,” Sharma said.

Sharma also cited recent local election results, saying the BJP had won three of the four municipal corporations in the state. He added that Panchayati Raj elections were held through ballot papers and BJP-supported candidates had also won those elections.

He alleged that the Congress was attempting to divert attention from its internal weaknesses by targeting the Election Commission and said the party should introspect instead of making allegations.
Sharma said the BJP supported the purity of electoral rolls and the voting rights of every eligible citizen.