Opposition Divided Over SIR Strategy

New Delhi, December 02, 2025: The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has plunged the Opposition, united under the INDIA banner, into disarray over its strategy in Parliament’s Winter Session. While parties are vocally unified on the need for an immediate debate, differences are emerging on the floor strategy and the extent of cooperation with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Key Demands and Government Resistance

The Opposition is demanding a discussion on the alleged irregularities and malpractices in the SIR process, which they claim is a backdoor attempt to delete genuine voters, particularly those supporting opposition parties. Concerns have also been flagged over the work pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs), with several reports of stress-related incidents, including suicides.

The government, however, remains firm, stating that the SIR is an administrative exercise conducted by the independent Election Commission of India (ECI) and cannot be debated in Parliament. It has, however, indicated a willingness to discuss the issue under the broader topic of ‘electoral reforms’, a semantic compromise rejected by some Opposition members who view it as a tactic to dilute their attack.

Fissures in the Opposition Bloc

Despite presenting a united front in all-party meetings and coordinating a walkout on the first day of the Winter Session, cracks are visible in the Opposition’s approach.

• TMC’s Separate Path: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has shown signs of ploughing its own furrow, having notably skipped a strategy meeting of the Opposition bloc. While they remain aggressive on the SIR issue—even accusing the ECI of having “blood on their hands”—their political distance from the Congress is a clear point of friction.
• Tactical Differences: There is internal variance on how long to sustain the protest. Parties like the Samajwadi Party (SP) have threatened to stall the entire House if a discussion on SIR is not permitted. Conversely, the Left parties and DMK have suggested a more cautious approach, arguing that a continuous, singular focus on the SIR debate would overshadow other critical issues they wish to raise, such as national security and air pollution. They prefer to “play it by the ear,” deciding on the protest intensity day by day.

The Stalemate Continues

The divergence in strategy, particularly the decision by some to prioritize a discussion on ‘electoral reforms’ over a direct confrontation on the SIR, has complicated the Opposition’s position. While Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has urged the government not to try and divide them, the existing lack of consensus on the floor strategy offers the NDA an opportunity to exploit these divisions and push through its own legislative agenda. With the government maintaining that the demand is “under consideration” but refusing to be bound by a timeline, the SIR controversy is poised to dominate and potentially disrupt the truncated Winter Session.