INDIA Bloc Stages Protest Over Bihar Electoral Rolls

In a significant demonstration at Parliament on Friday, Members of Parliament (MPs) from the INDIA bloc voiced their discontent over the impending Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Led by key figures, including Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the protestors prominently displayed a banner declaring the SIR as a 'war on democracy.'

The protest was fueled by a unified resolution from the INDIA bloc, aimed at strengthening their dissent both inside and outside the legislative halls. The Election Commission of India's scheduled release of the draft electoral rolls on Friday intensified the demand for discussions, which the bloc considers crucial for ensuring electoral transparency.

Support for the protest swelled on Thursday, with Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi joining the group at Makkar Dwar. Standing alongside her daughter and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi's endorsement was seen as a significant political statement against the SIR.

A provocative SIR cartoon circulating on social media depicted the Election Commission as shackled and under duress, mirroring accusations from opposition parties about governmental influence on the Commission. In a related move, AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh filed a suspension notice spotlighting economic issues, particularly the impact of 25% tariffs imposed by the U.S. on various Indian exports, complicating the nation's economic and diplomatic strategy.

(With inputs from agencies.)