Fissure in NDA over SIR? After TDP, long-time BJP ally JD(U) raises red flag

In what appears to be a sign of internal discomfort, two important NDA allies at the Centre — the Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) — have voiced serious reservations over the SIR (special intensive revision) of voter rolls in Bihar, indirectly targeting the BJP’s handling of the process.

The JD(U)’s discontent has surfaced a week after the TDP formally conveyed its objections to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Political observers in Bihar believe the growing backlash reflects mounting pressure within the alliance, pushing individual leaders to break ranks and express concern.

JD(U) MP Giridhari Yadav said, “The Election Commission doesn't know Bihar,” accusing the ECI of failing to grasp the state’s unique social and logistical complexities.

Speaking to the Indian Express, the outspoken Banka MP shared his personal experience: “It took me 10 days to get my own documents in order. My son is in the United States. The EC should have given at least six months.”

Describing the SIR as a “Tughlaqi farman” — a phrase used to describe arbitrary and impractical decisions a la 14th-century sultan of Delhi Muhammad bin Tughluq — he warned that the exercise could result in mass voter deletions. However, asked about his party's official line, Yadav clarified that he was merely expressing his personal views.

Several other JD(U) leaders, speaking off the record, echoed similar concerns. They pointed to the impracticality of conducting such an exercise during the farming season and highlighted the risk of disenfranchising legitimate voters, particularly migrants and those living abroad.

Interestingly, Bihar's principal opposition party RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) welcomed Yadav’s remarks. In a post on X, the party said: “From the crowd of 'servants' of two Gujaratis, at least one MP has emerged who has an independent voice, a conscience, and the courage to speak the truth about the people's suffering!”

The TDP, a key BJP ally, had raised similar objections earlier. In a letter dated 15 July, the TDP urged the ECI to clearly define the scope of the SIR, insisting that it remain strictly a technical correction process and not be conflated with any form of citizenship verification.

The party emphasised that this distinction must be communicated unambiguously to prevent confusion and misuse. It also flagged concerns over the timing, arguing that the SIR should not be undertaken within six months of a major election.

As Bihar's assembly polls draw closer, the TDP warned that a rushed exercise could compromise both the credibility and inclusiveness of the process.

Political analysts see these remarks from the JD(U) and TDP as indication of growing unease within the NDA, specially amid fears that the SIR could be perceived as a covert tool for citizenship scrutiny or voter list manipulation ahead of critical elections.