BJP stalwart Manohar Joshi says SIR's truth is that every govt wants to stay in power
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Representational image | Photo: IANS
New Delhi: Veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi has described the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as part of the broader political contest for retaining power, while stressing the importance of fair elections and accountability in a democracy.
In an interview with The Hindu, Joshi said governments naturally seek to remain in power. He drew a parallel with the decision to defer delimitation in 2000 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying the BJP-led government at the time had also been concerned about retaining power. He noted that the earlier postponement in 1976 was driven by a similar consideration, The Wire reported.
The delays, implemented through constitutional amendments, froze the allocation of parliamentary seats among states based on population figures from the 1971 Census. The issue remains contentious, particularly because regular delimitation could disproportionately affect southern states.
Joshi said democracy remained the best form of governance as long as elections were conducted fairly, governments were accountable and the bureaucracy operated transparently.
His remarks come amid criticism of the Narendra Modi government from Opposition parties, civil society groups and sections of the public, who have raised concerns over electoral transparency, government accountability and the functioning of the Election Commission of India.
Joshi also stressed that development should not come at the expense of environmental concerns and sustainability. Referring to a recent disco-style event held at the Badrinath shrine in Uttarakhand, he said such activities were inconsistent with the religious and historical traditions associated with the site.
He further observed that India had, in his view, lost its direction in the current circumstances. However, drawing from the country's history, Joshi said India had repeatedly managed to correct its course after periods of deviation, learning from its mistakes in the process.