Congress Launches 'Vote Chori' Offensive: Nationwide SIR Re-enrollment Drive Kicks Off

The Indian National Congress on Tuesday launched a nationwide campaign against what it calls 'vote chori' (voter theft) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, aiming to assist voters whose names have been deleted. The party announced that it will invite Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to an INDIA bloc rally scheduled for November 1, as part of a broader mobilisation against the SIR process.

The campaign, titled 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' (Save Votes, Save the Nation), will begin at the block level from October 10 to 20, culminating in 'Delhi Chalo' marches and a rally in the national capital on November 26. Congress leaders have alleged that the SIR process, conducted in several states, has disproportionately deleted voters from marginalised communities, a charge the government denies. The party says its campaign will focus on re-enrolling those whose names were removed and raising awareness about the issue.

The move signals a renewed effort by the Congress to unite opposition parties under the INDIA bloc banner ahead of the 2024 general elections. By inviting DMK and AAP, the party aims to consolidate anti-BJP forces and amplify its narrative of electoral malpractice. The success of the campaign and the November 26 rally could set the tone for the opposition's strategy in the coming months, with potential implications for the political landscape and voter trust in the electoral system.