The Congress Party has declared its demand for a debate on the ‘votebandi’ issue in Bihar as non-negotiable, intensifying the standoff between the Opposition and the NDA government in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Opposition MPs, especially from the INDIA bloc, have consistently stalled House proceedings, alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is being used to systematically delete voter names—particularly of those likely to vote against the ruling alliance.

The term ‘votebandi’, coined by Opposition leaders, refers to what they claim is an orchestrated effort by the government to suppress voter turnout in areas unfavourable to the BJP, using administrative tools under the garb of routine electoral updates.

Congress takes firm stand: No discussion, no business

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated that the party, along with its INDIA bloc allies, would not allow the Houses to function until a proper debate on the votebandi issue is allowed.

“This is not a side issue. This is about the future of India’s democracy. What is happening in Bihar is nothing short of a silent voter purge,” he said.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi added, “The demand for a debate on votebandi is non-negotiable. This is not just about Bihar, this is about the right to vote of every citizen in the country.”

The Opposition has demanded that the Law Minister make a statement on the Special Intensive Revision exercise, and allow a debate under an admissible parliamentary motion.

Parliament logjam intensifies

As the 13th day of the Monsoon Session begins, Parliamentary proceedings have remained frozen with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned repeatedly due to loud protests and slogan shouting by Opposition MPs.

The government has accused the Opposition of holding the session hostage, while the Opposition maintains that democracy itself is being held hostage in Bihar, where the revision of electoral rolls allegedly includes arbitrary deletions without due process or appeal.

According to Opposition MPs, lakhs of voters—especially those from marginalised communities such as Dalits, Muslims, and urban migrants—are being removed from the rolls under pretexts like absenteeism, unverified identity, or migratory status.

What is the votebandi allegation?

The term ‘votebandi’ combines the words vote and bandi (ban/block), drawing parallels to the term ‘notebandi’ (demonetisation) used by critics of the 2016 currency ban. The Opposition alleges that the Election Commission, under pressure from the Centre, has initiated the Special Intensive Revision in Bihar with undue haste and without safeguards.

The INDIA bloc claims this is an attempt to artificially shrink the voter base of anti-BJP segments in Bihar ahead of the 2025 State elections and 2026 General Elections.

Tejashwi Yadav, RJD leader and a key INDIA bloc figure, accused the ruling BJP of “electoral engineering through deletion, not development.”

He said, “Instead of winning votes with policies, they want to cut the votes of their opponents. This is not democracy, this is digital dictatorship.”

Government defends the voter roll revision

In contrast, the BJP and Union Ministers have defended the Special Intensive Revision process, calling it a standard operating procedure that is being carried out according to Election Commission norms.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Opposition was spreading misinformation and politicising a technical process.

“This is an EC-mandated exercise to clean up voter lists. It is happening across multiple states, not just Bihar. To say this is votebandi is an insult to the Election Commission,” he said.

EC’s silence raises questions

So far, the Election Commission has not issued a detailed public statement on the controversy, adding to the speculation.

Election experts and civil rights activists have urged the EC to issue a public white paper on the methodology, safeguards, and grievance redressal process being used during the Special Intensive Revision in Bihar.

Some have even suggested a judicial or parliamentary review of the SIR mechanism, especially in sensitive pre-election contexts.

What happens next in Parliament

With just days left in the Monsoon Session, the Opposition is unlikely to back down, and the NDA government appears unwilling to allow a formal discussion on votebandi under parliamentary rules that allow for voting or censure.

Several pending bills, including those on digital privacy, forest conservation, and cybercrime, remain in limbo as the deadlock continues.

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