Congress and CJP protests over SIR exercise tighten pressure on BJP ahead of UP, Punjab polls

Congress and the newly allied Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have intensified protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, putting the ruling BJP on the defensive as it gears up for Uttar Pradesh and Punjab assembly polls.

What Happened

Youth activists from CJP staged a peaceful flag‑raising at Jantar Mantar, after which leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were taken into judicial custody. Rahul Gandhi replied on X, calling the arrests cowardly and thanking CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke for speaking out.

Reaction

Senior BJP figures admit the protests echo broader anger over inflation, unemployment, market volatility and rural distress, though they label the unrest a social‑media stunt. A senior BJP MP listed those issues and added that the festival season may dampen the movement. Party insiders warn the Opposition’s unity gives it a strategic edge and note that the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament could revive the debate.

What's Next

The BJP is expected to launch a public campaign to clarify the SIR process. The Winter Session, slated for the third week of November, may become a battleground for pending bills, while the resignation of Union minister L Murugan fuels talk of a cabinet reshuffle to freshen the government’s image before the 2027 assembly elections.

Context

The SIR exercise reviews voter rolls, a routine step that can become politicised when opposition parties unite. With elections in two key states looming, any perception of electoral unfairness can sway voter sentiment and affect the BJP’s legislative agenda.