Chennai, 29 October (H.S.) : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Wednesday stated that the all-party meeting convened for November 2 to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is an attempt to safeguard democracy. He appealed to all political parties to participate in the deliberation, setting aside their differences.

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its allies have strongly opposed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), and the state government has called the all-party meeting to decide on the future course of action after the Election Commission of India recently announced its implementation in poll-bound Tamil Nadu and other states from next month.

Addressing the issue, Chief Minister Stalin charged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre was trying to 'snatch' the voting rights of the people of Tamil Nadu through the SIR exercise. He reiterated that voting is the very basis of democracy and affirmed that the state would not sacrifice it at any cost. We will overcome BJP's efforts like snatching the voting right and vote theft and protect Tamil Nadu people's voting rights, Stalin stated. He also mentioned that Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has joined the opposition to the SIR, showcasing broader political concern.

Mr. Stalin stressed the importance of the collective effort, urging all parties to participate in the meeting aimed at safeguarding the democratic process. The Chief Minister also instructed DMK booth agents to be extra cautious during the SIR process, highlighting the risk of disenfranchisement and the need to ensure every genuine voter is on the rolls, with the aim of thwarting what he described as a BJP and AIADMK attempt to win the 2026 election through the backdoor.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary