New Delhi [India], August 25 : Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday criticised the opposition over its objection to the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and accused it of "maligning" the constitutional institutions.
Amid the allegations of "vote theft" against the Election Commission in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Union Minister questioned the opposition on how they managed to win 99 seats despite these allegations, accusing them of "conspiring to demean democracy."
Speaking to ANI, Arjun Ram Meghwal said, "Some people have the intention to malign the constitutional institutions of the country. This (opposing the SIR) is a part of it; maligning the Election Commission. How did Congress win 99 seats in the Lok Sabha elections? It was the same Election Commission. We did not win any seats in Tamil Nadu, Punjab. What is this? In which way are they trying to take the discussion? This is a conspiracy to demean democracy, but the people have understood now."
"On one side, they say they respect the Constitution and will work according to that. The Constitution has given the right to the Election Commission under Article 324. Opposing it, means they do not want to function according to the Constitution. They consider themselves above the laws," he added.
In a scathing attack on the Opposition, Union Minister Meghwal accused the Congress party of trying to dominate the monsoon session of Parliament by shifting focus from Operation Sindoor to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue.
He said, "The monsoon session began on July 21 and ended on August 21. On July 20, we had a meeting with the floor leaders of all parties. 90% of the Opposition demanded that Operation Sindoor should be discussed. We accepted it... Then they demanded that the Prime Minister must remain present... They demanded 16-hour discussions... The PM also gave a speech in the Lok Sabha and presented his side. There was a debate in the Rajya Sabha as well. It is not about wash out..."
"Suddenly, it came to their notice that the ruling party scored more through Operation Sindoor. When his Congress MPs and Congress leaders reviewed it, they felt that it was not right... They thought about how the Opposition could dominate the monsoon session, so they brought up the SIR issue..." the Union Minister stated.