Randeep Surjewala (ANI photo)
NEW DELHI: Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha on Monday pressed for reforms in the anti-defection law and electoral processes, arguing that defections, voter list issues and institutional weaknesses undermine the people’s mandate and raise questions over the “purity of elections”.While questioning the need for the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls currently under way in 10 states and Union territories, the govt said the exercise was “constitutionally valid” and had been conducted several times in the past.Placing the debate in a broader ideological context, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said electoral reforms strike at the heart of India’s freedom struggle and constitutional democracy, warning that any dilution of voting rights or institutional independence would hollow out the republic from within.
IPL Auction 2026
“The core of Indian democracy lies in every individual’s right to vote and a government elected through those votes. If universal voting rights, free and fair elections by an independent Election Commission, and constitutional institutions are weakened, democracy becomes an illusion,” he said.Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda cautioned the Opposition against repeatedly alleging “vote chori”. “By using the words ‘vote chori’ you are going to suffer in the coming days. You are not going to win the battle,” he said, asserting that institutions such as the Election Commission and the Supreme Court were in place to address electoral issues and that people had confidence in the system.Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh demanded that all slips generated from VVPAT machines be counted simultaneously to restore public trust in EVMs. On the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ framework, he termed it an “insult” to federalism and a step towards “fascist dictatorship”. Singh also alleged that Union home minister Amit Shah was never part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, triggering sharp reactions from the treasury benches. Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal accused Singh of “misinterpreting” Shah’s earlier statement in the Lok Sabha.Opposition members also cited the wide gap in funding available to political parties, stressing the need for a level-playing field in electoral processes. AAP MP Sandeep Kumar Pathak urged reforms in the funding of political parties.K R Suresh Reddy of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) said defections had become routine, particularly in smaller states with narrow legislative margins. “Anti-defection is the name of the game today, especially in smaller states,” he said, noting that defecting legislators often fail to deliver on manifesto promises. He suggested setting up a parliamentary committee to make anti-defection provisions “watertight”.Echoing similar concerns, CPI(M) member John Brittas said the mandate must be respected even after elections. “When horse trading happens, when mass defections happen, when resorts become sanctum sanctorum, the purity of elections is in question,” he said, observing that while the law earlier curbed “retail defection”, “now wholesale defection is happening”.Responding to the Opposition, Law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said SIR was constitutionally valid and had been undertaken several times earlier. He said the revision of electoral rolls was rooted in the constitutional framework laid down by B R Ambedkar, adding that even the Supreme Court had affirmed the Election Commission’s power to conduct SIR. Meghwal alleged that Congress had humiliated Ambedkar during his lifetime and public career.JD(U) member Sanjay Kumar Jha cited the February 2005 Bihar elections, claiming that despite Nitish Kumar having support, President’s rule was imposed after a midnight Cabinet meeting. “No MLA took oath… they are called ‘abhutpurv MLAs’,” he said.
