- 7/9/2025
The Supreme Court will hear multiple pleas on Thursday against the Election Commission's decision to conduct a special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00to our top political story of the day.
00:02Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will hear multiple pleas
00:06against the Election Commission's decision
00:07to go in for a special intensive revision
00:11of the electoral rolls in Bihar
00:13just months ahead of elections in that state.
00:17Today, leaders of the Mahagadbandan,
00:19led by Rahul Gandhi and Tejasvi Yadav,
00:22hit the streets, accusing the poll panel
00:25of working at the BJP's behest
00:28and preparing rolls that they claim
00:30will disenfranchise thousands of poor voters in particular.
00:36In fact, according to Rahul Gandhi today,
00:38the EC is acting as an agent of the Modi government
00:41and what is happening is nothing but vote bandhi.
00:46What's the truth?
00:47Take a look first at our report from the ground.
00:58A show of strength by the Mahagadbandan in Bihar
01:02as elections loom.
01:04The opposition party staged protests across the state
01:07on Wednesday against the ongoing voter list revision
01:10by the Election Commission of India.
01:12At some places, the protests turned violent
01:15as RJD and Congress supporters blocked roads
01:18and disrupted train services.
01:23Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and RJD's Tejasvi Yadav
01:27led a march in Patna
01:28from the income tax roundabout
01:30to the EC office.
01:34Rahul Gandhi sharply criticised the EC,
01:37accusing it of acting under the BJP's influence.
01:40It's a virtue of a vote.
01:58The thing is both voting for the people of the people.
02:00This is Vihar.
02:02But this is of this people's rights.
02:04This is Vihar.
02:06This is BJP's nominated action commissioner.
02:10The R.J.D. alleged the voter list revision process is anti-people.
02:30In retaliation, the B.J.B. accused the opposition of protecting infiltrators.
02:40The E.C. began the voter list revision in Bihar on the 25th of June.
02:53The poll body claims the objective of the special intensive revision is purification of the electoral rolls.
03:02It is issuing daily updates and rebuttals to opposition charges.
03:06But the Arm Admi on the ground is worried they might lose out if unable to provide documents at short notice.
03:14Bureau Report, India Today.
03:20Okay, let's raise the big questions at this moment.
03:23Rahul Gandhi's charges, are they justified or are they irresponsible?
03:29Is the election commission at the moment a neutral umpire or is it horribly biased?
03:34Is there a growing mistrust of the election commission's actions or is that an excessive claim to make?
03:41Joining me at this moment, my first guest is Dr. Ajay Kumar, spokesperson of the Congress.
03:46We also hope to be joined by Sanju Verma, national spokesperson of the B.J.P.
03:51But Dr. Ajay Kumar, former MP and national spokesperson Congress, Rahul Gandhi goes to Bihar
03:57and claims that the election commission is acting as an agent of the B.J.P.
04:03Now that's a very, very serious charge to make.
04:07Should Rahul Gandhi be a little careful in the words he uses?
04:11When you call the election commission of the country, a constitutional body, an agent of the B.J.P.
04:20Shouldn't you be a little bit more measured or provide very hard, conclusive evidence before you make an allegation of that kind?
04:29Your two minutes start now.
04:30So, Rasthi, look at the way the chief election commissioner has been speaking.
04:36This is a different election commission.
04:38The episode with the opposition leaders.
04:40There are so many times when I went, I have been a part of the delegation to the election commission.
04:45All the chief election commissioners, the election commissioners were so gracious earlier.
04:51You know the number of people, everybody could put their point.
04:55Now the election commissioner is telling that I will decide who is the designated person.
04:59Will he decide or will the party decide first?
05:02Secondly, today's article on PDT Acharya, I'm sure you would have read it.
05:08Clearly states...
05:08Our viewers have not read it.
05:10Our viewers have not read it.
05:11He's written an article in the Hindu.
05:12This is a former Lok Sabha, Parliament Secretary General, who has raised questions.
05:17But go ahead.
05:17Give me your view.
05:18When you say that it's an agent of the centre, give me one good reason why you say it.
05:23It can't be because they're not graceful to you.
05:25Give me a better reason.
05:27No, no.
05:27When we ask them for the electoral rolls, they don't provide it.
05:31When we ask them for a video coverage, they don't provide it.
05:35When we ask them to tell us the reason why you're doing this, they don't provide it.
05:38And the first question is, never did they discuss this special, intensive revision of electoral rolls?
05:46Never.
05:46Till it was announced.
05:49And the shamelessness has got no limit.
05:51Why doesn't the Chief Election Commissioner address a press conference where journalists like you and other people can go and ask them questions?
05:58And ask them what was the reason why you...
06:00And what is the methodology which has never been followed?
06:02This methodology of the revision of electoral rolls has never been done.
06:09On whose provocation are you doing?
06:12It smells.
06:13It's fishy.
06:14And it's giving a bad order.
06:16And I'll highlight to you.
06:17The idea of the election commission, great people like the first election commissioner, Mr. Sin, universal adult franchise with people who could not read.
06:29That's why the symbols were introduced.
06:30The idea was to include the maximum, all the people possible for the election.
06:36This election commissioner wants to ensure, Chief Election Commissioner and this election commission, that three crore people from Bihar were staying outside.
06:45How do they get back?
06:46How do they, the roles, the information which has been through the various important newspapers which are saying that only 14 people, whoever on the ground are going are saying that they don't have those papers.
07:00Election commission is saying that people are returning the papers.
07:03But the people who are reporting on the ground, that every one of them, and Bihar, now, in a previous...
07:10Let me just, sir, your time is up now.
07:12I've given you time.
07:13I want to also explain to our viewers.
07:15I'm going to put a graphic to explain to our viewers what this electoral roll is and then get Sanju Verma.
07:21Sanju Verma, the point is the election commission in Bihar conducted extensive revision of electoral rolls between June of 2024 and January of 2025.
07:33For seven months, extensive revision was conducted.
07:36Suddenly, six months later, they decide we want another revision, another revision six months later.
07:43Either the first revision was flawed or the people who have voted in the general election were fraudulent voters.
07:50Naturally, dal mein kuch kala hai is a suspicion.
07:52How do you respond to what you just heard from Ajay Kumar, who suggests that the election commission is an agent, in his words, of the Modi government?
08:04Ajay Kumar, Thank you, Rajdeep. Nice to be on your show after quite a bit.
08:08Ajay Kumar, let me make one thing very clear.
08:10Ajay Kumar, the election commission was also referred to as shameless.
08:14Ajay Kumar, and I take strong objection to these kind of loose remarks against the election commission, which is a constitutional body, wide article C24 of the constitution.
08:23Ajay Kumar, now revision of electoral rolls. Is it in line with representation of people's act 1951? Yes.
08:31Ajay Kumar, revision of electoral rolls. Is it in line with form 13 section 19 of the registration of electoral rules 1960? Yes.
08:41Ajay Kumar, revision of electoral rules. Is it in line with article 326 of the Indian constitution? The answer is yes.
08:48Ajay Kumar, I'll tell you why the opposition is so rattled. Hindi mein kahawat hai, Rajdeep ji. Khisiani billi khamba noche.
08:56Now, Rahul Gandhi is that typical Khisiani billi who wants to find a scapegoat even before the election process in Bihar has started.
09:05I want to tell Rahul Gandhi this, since he keeps undermining the credibility of the election commission.
09:10And I don't see the timing ticker on my, you know. Don't worry. Don't worry. I'll give you two minutes. Don't worry.
09:17Thank you. Yes. I trust you.
09:21Now, let me say one thing very clearly. There was a man who was the chief election commission between, chief election commissioner between 1990 and 1996.
09:32This man's name was TN Session. I was just on a debate half an hour back and a congress spokesperson told me,
09:40you know, TN Session used to eat politicians for breakfast.
09:43Yes, he used to eat politicians for breakfast as long as they were not congresses.
09:47Because in his opinion, TN Session had become a big deal. This is the same TN Session.
09:52He was the defense secretary, the cabinet secretary, the environment secretary under Rajiv Gandhi,
09:57was made the chief election commissioner and, lo and behold, after Rajiv Gandhi's death, TN Session was also made a member of the planning commission.
10:06Classic quid pro quo. And Rahul Gandhi, today's election commissioner's credibility is very rich coming from him.
10:16Now, let me give you another example. 1996 to 2001, there was a man called MS Gill.
10:22He was the chief election commissioner. And guess what, Rajiv? In a classic quid pro quo again.
10:28In 2008, MS Gill was made the union minister for sports and youth affairs.
10:36Kabhi congressi ko MS Gill ko condemn karte hue dekha hai, TN Session ko condemn karte hue dekha hai.
10:40No. Now, let me tell you, now coming to Bihar, what does the election commission say?
10:46It says there are 7.89 crore electors or voters in Bihar, 4.96 crore voters.
10:53They were already a part of the last SIR done on January 1, 2023.
11:00They simply have to select the enumeration form anytime between June 26th and July 26th.
11:06With a simple verification, they don't need to submit any proofs.
11:11The election commission says that the draft electoral list will be published on August 1st.
11:17If you have any objections, you have time till September 1st to file your objections.
11:22And on the 13th of September, the final list will be out.
11:26Rahul Gandhi and Tejasri, why is the pain in the stomach of Rahul Gandhi?
11:30Okay, your time is exactly up. Your time is exactly up. You say peet mein kyo dard ho ra hai.
11:36This time I'll reverse it and give you one one minute each, starting with Sanju Verma.
11:39Because Sanju Verma, through this entire, you have every right to claim that who is the congress to
11:45question how election commissioners were appointed in the past. Koi doodh se dula hua nahi hai.
11:51But, but, in this specific case you did not answer my central question. This election commission
11:57conducted a full revision of the rolls of Bihar between June of 2024 and January of 2025.
12:04What changed suddenly in six months for them to order a special intensive revision with fresh
12:10documentation needed for all those who are not registered as of 2003? Naturally, question will be
12:17asked what has suddenly changed in the last five months for them to order a special intensive revision?
12:24You know, Rajdeep, let us be very clear. The election commission has sweeping powers under
12:29article 324, 325, 326, 327, 328. That doesn't allow you to misuse your powers.
12:34You can't misuse your powers. Can I please finish? You know, now you give me the full one minute
12:38because you don't hold me a leak into my time. Please go ahead ma'am.
12:41Let me tell you, Rajdeep Sardesari and Sanju Verma and Dr. Ajay Kumar and Rahul Gandhi don't have the
12:49local standard to undermine the credibility of a constitutional body like the election commission.
12:54You can ask questions respectfully. But don't say that the election commission
12:58godi hai ho hai, election commission voters ki list ko manmani se delete kar raha hai.
13:04I'm sorry, what is Rahul Gandhi's credibility? Rahul Gandhi said that voters are being deleted now
13:10very quickly. 5 lakh voters were deleted in the bengal assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi
13:15ne to fevi kaul kha liya. Kerano mein 2021 assembly elections 1.7 lakh voters were deleted. Rahul
13:21Gandhi and left parties ge fevi kaul kha liya. Telangana assembly elections ne 4.28 lakh voters
13:27time up time up time up time up time up time up your time is up audio. You know,
13:36Ajay Kumar, what is coming? It's coming down to while you are perfectly entitled to raise questions
13:43over the election commission. I disagree with Sanju Verma that you can't ask election commission
13:47questions simply because they have these powers. You cannot allow an abuse or excess of power.
13:52Ask questions without undermining their credibility. Okay, don't undermine. So that's the question
13:56there for Ajay Kumar. By the manner in which this is being posed even before the entire exercise is
14:02complete, to suggest it's a fraudulent exercise, aren't you undermining public faith in the constitutional
14:09institution which is charged with a very solemn duty of ensuring free and fair elections? Why not
14:14even at least allow the exercise to be complete? No, no. First question I was listening to the BJP
14:20spokesperson. It's ridiculous to, you know, the election commissioners got the power to revise
14:25the electoral rolls. Yes. Please read the sub-rules in that, that the date has been fixed by the
14:32constitution and the rules and regulations which the parliament has decided on the date in which they do
14:37and the methodology. The special intensive revision is only allowed for constituency. Please read the
14:45rules again. So I'm not going to get into it because nobody is debating whether the election
14:50commissioners got the right to revise the rules. It doesn't have the right to revise the rules in an
14:53arbitrary manner, in a in a talibani manner, in a in a manner without discussing and in a manner which
15:01and to release list of documents which was never asked at all. Are those in the rules and regulations
15:06which has been passed by the parliament? No. So first question. Second question is, you are putting in a
15:12process in which you're putting the majority of the people in difficulty. The four, the other
15:17fourth point is, these people say, Guzpeti, Guzpeti, 11 years they have been in power. Amit Shah is
15:24getting people through the Bangladesh border. No, one sec. I want to ask them, just rowing
15:28yards and Guzpetis, that's what they indicate. 11 years, that means the BJP is purposely doing it.
15:33Okay, let me, let, let, let, let, let, let Sanju Varma respond. Sanju Varma.
15:38How are the Guzpetis happening? No, you tell me why the Guzpetis happening.
15:42Yeah, Sanju Varma, Sanju Varma, the chart, Sanju Varma Ji. No, Ajay Kumar, your time is up.
15:49I am completely neutral. Madam, every time you question my neutrality, you're treating me like the
15:57Congress. I am simply requesting you very humbly. Okay, so I'm asking you now, I'm giving you one
16:02minute, ma'am. A serious point was made by Ajay Kumar that he believes that genuine voters will lose
16:09out voting rights because the fear is being created that infiltrators are entering states like they are.
16:14Please respond. I give you 30 seconds uninterrupted. You told me one minute. Now you reduce it to 30 seconds.
16:21Why? Because the last, last round is 30 seconds both sides. You go ahead. No, no, no, no. You are on Ajay Kumar,
16:27come beyond. Okay, please go ahead. Please go ahead one minute. Please take your minute. Thank you,
16:31Rajdeep for being so generous. Thank you. You know, now let me say one thing very clearly and please
16:35don't interrupt me. This is very important data and I'm sure Rahul Gandhi will also love listening to this
16:41and exposing his rabid lies on Rajdeep Sardesai's show. Maharashtra elections, BJP
16:48has stopped. Modi Sarkar, Maharashtra election was told and has been Rahul Gandhi's constant refrain.
16:55He says that last one hour, 65 last voters were added. Now let me tell you something very interesting
17:02in 20 seconds. Maharashtra, 5 p.m. voter count 58.22, 6 p.m. 66.05.
17:106 p.m. 67.74 percent. BJP lost. We did not cry. Telegra 2023, 5 p.m. voter count 55.24 percent.
17:2730 seconds left. At 6 p.m., 6 p.m. 63.94 percent. BJP lost. We did not cry.
17:34I asked you when. Okay, you claim you are not sore losers. The congress claimed that the system is
17:58election commission data for you. Okay, I've listened to both of you. I leave it as yours to decide.
18:06What do you want Mr. Say? I will give you 20 seconds. Please, not more.
18:10I will just say that the Bharti Janta Party is the master of half-truths. What about the 12,500?
18:17Put the volume down. Put the volume down. Put the volume down. Yeah, go ahead.
18:24Why are you so badly behaved? Please, please finish. Please finish now.
18:29So my question again is, 12,500 booths in Maharashtra had 10 percent to 8 to 12 percent increase.
18:36The number of voters added in five years is less than the number of voters added in the last six
18:41months. Those are issues which are very serious for this country. If the integrity of election is not there,
18:46the democracy is a challenge. And the issue of, no, and the last is four crore poor people
18:52will continue to suffer. And this Guzpeti, 11 years they are in power. So they are purposely
18:57getting people to do Guzpeti or let them answer to this nation. Okay, you made that point earlier.
19:03Where are the Guzpetias that you claim that the BJP says have entered states like we are? Either way,
19:09we need a sanctity of the electoral process or democracy itself gets undermined.
19:15I hope the election commissioners also come on this show like Sanju Verma and Ajay Kumar have come
19:21or at least conduct a press conference. That's the very least we can expect from the country's
19:26election commissioner. Come out and answer the questions. Opaqueness is not a solution.