Amit Shah Challenges Rahul Gandhi to SIR Debate
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to debate the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Parliament, questioning why the opposition blamed the exercise for electoral defeats when no such revision took place before the 2014, 2019 or 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Speaking at a BJP rally in Karnal, Haryana, on November 5, 2026, Shah said the government was prepared to convene a special parliamentary session.
Amit Shah Questions Congress Over Election Defeats
Shah argued that Congress had repeatedly failed to defeat the BJP even before the current electoral roll revision controversy.
He also referred to the party’s defeats in Haryana and Maharashtra, where he said SIR had not been conducted before the elections.
The Home Minister accused Congress of questioning electoral institutions instead of accepting unfavourable results.
Government Offers Special Parliament Session on SIR
Responding to Gandhi’s demand for a debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah asked the Congress leader to formally write to the Prime Minister.
He said Parliament was the appropriate forum for discussing electoral procedures and challenged Gandhi to participate in a special session.
Shah also criticised Congress for demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and accused opposition leaders of disrupting parliamentary proceedings.
Shah Criticises INDIA Bloc’s Delhi Rally
The Home Minister questioned the turnout at the INDIA bloc’s recent Ramlila Maidan rally, claiming that attendance fell substantially short of organisers’ expectations.
He also alleged that opposition parties were resisting SIR to protect ineligible voters, including illegal immigrants. These claims remain politically contested.
The Congress has maintained that its objections concern potential voter exclusions, transparency and the Election Commission’s accountability.
Shah’s remarks came during the concluding programme of the first phase of the BJP’s Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao campaign in Haryana.
