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Pinarayi, Stalin take hard line on SIR, target EC for ‘plot to disenfranchise voters’

Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin on the other hand accused the BJP of plotting to disenfranchise lakhs of voters through the SIR exercise while calling an all-party meet on November 2.

(From left to right) Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan. (Source: File)

A day after the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday that the EC should desist from the decision, which affects the very credibility of the body. Vijayan said that “institutions like the Election Commission should not be allowed to become puppets of the party ruling the Centre”.

Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin on the other hand accused the BJP of plotting to disenfranchise lakhs of voters through the SIR exercise while calling an all-party meet on November 2.

Vijayan said the decision is a challenge to the democratic process and the ECI’s stand on SIR in Kerala even after the state Chief Electoral Officer had sought its postponement raises suspicion on the poll body.

He said that when petitions questioning the constitutional validity of SIR in Bihar are pending before the Supreme Court, the move to roll out the same process to other states cannot be seen as innocent. “It is clear that the revision of the voter list, which requires long-term preparation and consultation, is being carried out in a hasty manner only to subvert the will of the people. The Commission should desist from such decisions that affect its own credibility. Institutions like the EC should not be allowed to become puppets of the party ruling at the Centre,” he said.

Last month, Kerala chief electoral officer had urged the ECI to postpone the SIR process citing the local body elections, after meeting representatives of political parties.

Besides, the state legislative assembly had passed a unanimous resolution against SIR last month. The resolution said the Election Commission’s move has raised serious concerns that the SIR is aimed at implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) indirectly.

Meanwhile, addressing party workers at the ‘My Polling Booth — Victory Booth’ training programme in Mamallapuram, Stalin alleged that the BJP and the AIADMK were attempting to “win by deletion”, targeting voters among the working class, SCs, minorities, and women. “They lack the courage to face the people. Their calculation is to remove the voting rights of those who stand with us. But Tamil Nadu will not allow it,” he said, charging that the EC had already deprived 65 lakh voters of their rights in Bihar under the same process.

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Calling the upcoming election a fight to “protect Tamil Nadu’s self-respect and individuality,” Stalin warned that the state was facing an “invasion” of its social, cultural, and economic fabric. “They trouble us in the name of Hindi, Sanskrit, GST, and the Governor. Only we have the strength to defeat them. The RSS designs will not work in Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik has called a meeting of recognised political parties in Chennai on Wednesday to discuss the SIR process.

Arun Janardhanan

Arun Janardhanan is an experienced and authoritative Tamil Nadu correspondent for The Indian Express. Based in the state, his reporting combines ground-level access with long-form clarity, offering readers a nuanced understanding of South India’s political, judicial, and cultural life - work that reflects both depth of expertise and sustained authority. Expertise Geographic Focus: As Tamil Nadu Correspondent focused on politics, crime, faith and disputes, Janardhanan has been also reporting extensively on Sri Lanka, producing a decade-long body of work on its elections, governance, and the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bombings through detailed stories and interviews. Key Coverage Areas: State Politics and Governance: Close reporting on the DMK and AIADMK, the emergence of new political actors such as actor Vijay’s TVK, internal party churn, Centre–State tensions, and the role of the Governor. Legal and Judicial Affairs: Consistent coverage of the Madras High Court, including religion-linked disputes and cases involving state authority and civil liberties. Investigations: Deep-dive series on landmark cases and unresolved questions, including the Tirupati encounter and the Rajiv Gandhi assassination, alongside multiple investigative series from Tamil Nadu. Culture, Society, and Crisis: Reporting on cultural organisations, language debates, and disaster coverage—from cyclones to prolonged monsoon emergencies—anchored in on-the-ground detail. His reporting has been recognised with the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism. Beyond journalism, Janardhanan is also a screenwriter; his Malayalam feature film Aarkkariyam was released in 2021. ... Read More

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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