New Delhi [India], July 24 : Taking a jibe at the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar, Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday asked the authorities to consider the situation of ordinary citizens after Janata Dal (United) MP Giridhari Yadav's remarks on the exercise.
Speaking to ANI, Manish Tewari said, "Today, JD(U) MP Ghiridhari Yadav also claimed that he had spent a considerable amount of time gathering all the documents, so one should consider the situation of ordinary people."
He added that only identity proof was required during previous electoral reforms.
"SIR is damaging our country's foundation because, when you look at the legacy of the last 70 years, every time basic electoral reforms have been revised, the new people added are only required to show their identity proofs," the Congress MP said.
Earlier on Wednesday, JD(U) MP Giridhari Yadav criticised the SIR in Bihar, claiming that the Election Commission has no practical knowledge.
"Election Commission has no practical knowledge. It neither knows the history nor the geography of Bihar. It took me 10 days to collect all the documents. My son stays in America. How will he do the signatures in just a month?" Yadav told ANI.
Furthermore, he stated that at least six months' time should be allocated for the SIR in the state.
"This (SIR) has been imposed on us forcefully. At least 6 months' time should have been given for this... I am giving my personal opinion. It doesn't matter what the party is saying... This is the truth. If I can't say the truth, why have I become an MP?" the JD(U) MP said.
Earlier today, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that the Lok Sabha can resume after the Centre answers the Opposition's demand to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter list in Bihar.
Gogoi told ANI, "For the last three days, we are demanding a discussion on the SIR, but not a single response has come from the BJP ministers so far. We just want to ask them whether or not there will be a discussion on SIR. Yes or no. Once they answer, the House proceedings can begin."
Demanding a discussion in the Parliament, he said that the Opposition wants to present the public's view on the issue.
"Election Commission putting forward their view does not mean that there should not be a discussion in the Parliament. Here, everyone is a representative of the public, and we want to present the public's view in Parliament," he said.