File picture of BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday (October 27, 2025) criticised the Opposition, including the Congress, for its stand on the Election Commission's decision to conduct the special intensive revision (SIR) of voter list in 12 States and union territories.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the Opposition parties were like "'asantusht atmaon ka jhund (herd of dissatisfied souls)" and a "master class in hypocrisy".

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"It is evident from the fact that on the one hand they will say the SIR is for stealing of votes, the SIR is against the Constitution, and it should not be done. On the other hand, the SIR is being demanded by the Opposition parties in Maharashtra before the local body polls," Mr. Poonawalla told PTI.

Mr. Poonawalla alleged that the Congress and other Opposition parties were targeting the Election Commission and using the SIR as an excuse for the "impending losses" in the coming polls

Meanwhile, BJP IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya questioned a major bureaucratic reshuffle in West Bengal.

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"The Election Commission has announced the special intensive revision in 12 States and union territories -- West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh," he said via a post on X.

"Just ahead of this announcement, the West Bengal government has carried out a massive bureaucratic reshuffle -- transferring 17 DMs, 22 ADMs, 45 SDOs, and 151 BDOs," he said.

Pointing out that the order was dated October 24, he said it was published only on Monday, "a move that raises serious questions about intent and timing".

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"No other State or union territory has witnessed such large-scale transfers right before the SIR. In doing so, Mamata Banerjee has also exposed her 'assets' -- many of whom have been conveniently placed in districts with the highest number of illegal votes," said Mr. Malviya.

The BJP leader said: "...we are watching every move. Every name, every district, every resource has been mapped. Mamata Banerjee's panic is understandable -- she knows the SIR will expose illegal Bangladeshi voters and clean up fake entries used for bogus voting."

(With PTI inputs)

BJP hits out at Opposition over its stand on SIR 2.0