NDA, oppn hail SC ruling on electoral roll revision

Both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition grand alliance welcomed the Supreme Court's observation in a batch of petitions challenging the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, calling it a victory for their respective stance.

- HT Correspondents

While the BJP said the top court allowing the Election Commission of India to continue with the SIR was a “setback” to the opposition parties, the RJD termed the court's suggestion that the poll body should allow Aadhaar cards, voter-ID cards and ration cards as valid during its electoral roll revision exercise “a victory for crores of people of Bihar”.

“We welcome the decision of the honourable court... On one hand, they (opposition) claim to have faith in the Constitution, on the other hand, they insult constitutional institutions,” Bihar deputy chief minister Vijay Sinha said.

His BJP colleague and fellow deputy CM Samrat Chowdhary also welcomed the top court's order. “No one interferes with the work of EC. We give suggestions,” Chowdhary said.

The JD(U) said the court’s observation was a rap on the Opposition’s knuckles. “Yesterday, opposition leaders... in a way tried to put pressure on the apex court. They have got a rap on the knuckles,” JD(U) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad was quoted as saying by PTI.