In a fiery interview with IANS from Chandigarh on February 22, senior Congress leader and MP Manish Tewari tore into the Election Commission over its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drives. He argued that the law does not permit such exercises at the state level, urging a judicial clarification on the EC’s nationwide powers.
‘Parliament must debate this,’ Tewari stated firmly. Instances across states reveal a pattern of non-transparent SIR processes, where voter lists are allegedly manipulated to delete opposition votes. The West Bengal episode, where Mamata Banerjee sought Supreme Court intervention, exemplifies the crisis of credibility plaguing the poll panel.
Tewari didn’t spare the trade front either. With Trump signaling 15% tariffs worldwide, India’s decision to slash duties to zero on dozens of products for the US appears lopsided. ‘America pays nothing to enter our market, but we foot 15% to theirs. This demands a government response,’ he pressed.
On the political counterattack, Bihar’s Dilip Jaiswal accused Congress of internal discord. Senior figures shun Rahul Gandhi, preferring Nehru-Gandhi legacies over his vision, which Jaiswal branded as detrimental to national interests. The exchange highlights deepening political rifts ahead of key electoral battles.