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Chavan’s remarks came as Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray took out a rally joint called ‘Garjana Morcha’ against SIR.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray during the ‘Virat Garjana Morcha’ rally over alleged SIR discrepancies. (PTI)
Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan on Sunday stepped up his attack on opponents of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asking them to clarify their position on duplicate voter registrations, names of deceased persons and alleged illegal immigrants.
Sharing a video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks in Parliament on SIR, Chavan asked, “Should infiltrators decide who the Prime Minister of the country and the Chief Minister of the state should be? If that happens, will democracy remain safe?”
He then questioned the presence of multiple registrations in electoral rolls. “Should a voter be allowed to vote at more than one place?” Chavan asked. On names of deceased persons continuing in voter lists, he said, “Should deceased citizens have a place in the electoral rolls?” Chavan’s message to those opposing the exercise was direct: “Those opposing SIR should answer these questions.”
📌 देशाचे पंतप्रधान आणि राज्याचे मुख्यमंत्री कोण असावे, हे घुसखोरांनी ठरवायचे का ? तसे झाले तर लोकशाही सुरक्षित राहील का ?📌 एका मतदाराला एकापेक्षा अधिक ठिकाणी मतदान करण्याची मुभा असावी का ?
📌 मृत्यू पावलेल्या नागरिकांना मतदार यादीत स्थान असावे का ?
SIR ला विरोध करणाऱ्यांनी या प्रश्नांची उत्तरे द्यावीत !
#SIR #ElectoralRoll #AmitShah #BJP4Maharashtra
— Ravindra Chavan (@RaviDadaChavan) October 4, 2026
The BJP has defended SIR as a means of checking electoral rolls for discrepancies, including duplicate registrations and names of deceased voters. Chavan’s remarks follow that line of argument, while also bringing the issue of alleged illegal immigration into the political debate over the revision.
Opposition parties have questioned the exercise and raised concerns about its implementation and the possibility of genuine voters being affected during the revision process. Their criticism has centred on how the exercise will be carried out and whether eligible voters could face difficulties in establishing their names on the electoral rolls.
Chavan’s remarks came as Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray along with NCP(SP) took out a rally joint called ‘Garjana Morcha’ against SIR. The two Thackeray brothers, who have been political rivals for years, have come together over the issue, giving the opposition to SIR a sharper political focus in Maharashtra.
The BJP is seeking to keep the discussion centred on the accuracy of voter lists and whether duplicate or invalid entries should remain. The opposition, meanwhile, is questioning the process and its potential impact on legitimate voters. No doubt that the exchange between BJP and opposition parties is likely to sharpen the contest over SIR as both sides prepare to take their arguments to voters.
But the State BJP chief Ravindra Chavan, is seeking immediate answers from opposition alliance who are opposing SIR , do they also oppose the removal of duplicate registrations and names of deceased persons from electoral rolls.
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Ask News18Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan challenged opponents of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by asking whether illegal immigrants, duplicate registrations, and deceased persons should influence elections or remain on voter lists.
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Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @…Read More
October 04, 2026, 20:44 IST
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