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Chennai: A day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states, including Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin convened an urgent consultation with alliance partners at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, on Monday. The meeting, attended by leaders from the Congress, VCK, MDMK, and left parties, concluded with a decision to hold a broader all-party meeting on November 2 to forge a unified stance, with legal options also being actively considered.
The ECI's announcement, which includes the immediate freezing of the electoral rolls in the designated states from midnight tonight, has created a clear political divide in the state. While the principal opposition party, AIADMK, has expressed its full support for the special revision, the ruling DMK and its allies are mounting a strong opposition, questioning the timing and intent behind the move.
The consultation meeting saw the participation of prominent alliance leaders, including MDMK general secretary Vaiko, Congress leader K.V. Thangabalu, CPI(M)'s K. Balakrishnan, CPI's R. Mutharasan, and VCK's D. Ravikumar. The primary agenda was to discuss the legal and political steps to be taken in response to the ECI's SIR operation.
After detailed deliberations, it was resolved that a comprehensive all-party meeting would be held on November 2 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Stalin. This wider consultation aims to build a consensus among all political parties in Tamil Nadu regarding the special revision process, even as the DMK alliance appears to be preparing for a potential legal challenge.
The ECI's decision, announced by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar in New Delhi, extends the Special Summary Revision with a reference date of January 1, 2025, to 12 states and union territories. The list includes Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.
The immediate freezing of the electoral rolls means no new enrollments or corrections can be made during the revision period. This large-scale exercise, following a similar drill in Bihar, has been positioned by the ECI as a routine measure to purify and update the voter lists. However, the move has ignited a sharp political reaction in Tamil Nadu, with the ruling coalition viewing it with suspicion and the opposition welcoming it, setting the stage for a significant political confrontation in the coming days.
