Opposition's Demand for Discussion on Vote Theft 'Non-Negotiable' in Parliament, Says Congress's Jairam Ramesh
Following Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi’s accusation of the Election Commission of India of ‘vote chori’ (vote theft), Congress general secretary in charge of communication, Jairam Ramesh, on Wednesday stated that the opposition’s demand for discussion on the issue is “non-negotiable” in both houses of the Parliament.
Last week, Rahul Gandhi had sought a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on the electoral rolls in Bihar, both houses—the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, which witnessed adjournments after the opposition leaders submitted multiple adjournment notices demanding a discussion in both houses.
Notably, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh on Tuesday cited the 1988 ruling, rejecting SIR discussion on electoral rolls. The chairperson referred to a ruling that because the Lok Sabha Speaker had said so on Dec 14, 1988, any matter concerning the Election Commission cannot be discussed in Parliament.
However, Jairam Ramesh pointed out that on July 21, 2023, the Chair of the Rajya Sabha, “a Modi appointee, had categorically ruled that ‘the Rajya Sabha is entitled to discuss anything on the planet with only one restriction.”
The Congress Rajya Sabha MP further quoted the former chair as saying there were only restrictions related to the conduct of any judge except on a motion related to his removal. The Congress leader then highlighted that the opposition is constantly reminded that Parliament runs on the basis of rulings and conventions.
“Why is the Rajya Sabha Chair ruling of July 21, 2023, being so willfully ignored?” Jairam Ramesh asked.
The Congress leader further asserted that the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the votebandi and votechori is non-negotiable in both Houses of Parliament, which, according to him, is being orchestrated by G2 through the Election Commission in Bihar and to be followed in West Bengal, Assam, and other states.
The Chair in the Rajya Sabha is a continuing entity in spite of the comings to and the goings from it – both scheduled and unscheduled.
Yesterday, the Deputy Chairman gave a ruling that because the Lok Sabha Speaker had said so on Dec 14, 1988, any matter concerning the Election… pic.twitter.com/b4qtATczx3
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 6, 2025
