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The dispute over electoral roll revisions has intensified the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress. Here is why voter-list transparency, the Election Commission and opposition unity have become central political issues.

The BJP and Congress exchanged criticism on October 18 over the Election Commission’s decision concerning machine-readable electoral rolls. The disagreement highlights a broader debate about transparency, voter-list accuracy and the responsibilities of political parties and election authorities.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has criticised Congress over its position on electoral-roll revision, while continuing to express opposition to aspects of the process. His remarks have brought differences within the opposition camp into focus and raised questions about coordination between regional parties and the Congress.

The Congress is preparing for the next phase of its campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Rahul Gandhi has urged party workers to sustain their protests, adopt innovative strategies and remain prepared for a prolonged political battle against alleged electoral irregularities.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused Delhi Police of refusing to register an FIR over the alleged assault of student protesters. Calling the action an attack on peaceful resistance, the Leader of the Opposition vowed to pursue legal remedies against the officers responsible in Delhi, Kerala, Rajasthan and the courts.

Rahul Gandhi’s public support for AISA president Neha Bora during the INDIA bloc’s October 12 protest march has reportedly sparked discontent among sections of Congress’s student wing, NSUI. The episode has raised questions about leadership, political visibility and the Congress’s strategy to bring different opposition groups together.

The Supreme Court has questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the INDIA bloc’s October 12 march towards the court premises in Delhi. The court sought an explanation for the events surrounding the protest while issuing notices in petitions concerning the demonstration and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised Rahul Gandhi and the Congress over their protests concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing the opposition of negative politics and predicting another defeat for Congress in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Congress leaders rejected Shah's remarks and raised concerns about electoral transparency.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, participated in an Opposition protest in Chennai against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The party sent School Education Minister A Rajmohan, signalling solidarity with its INDIA bloc allies while keeping its participation limited.

Ankita Bhandari’s parents protested in Delhi seeking a delay in Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim governor until the conclusion of an ongoing CBI investigation. Congress leaders joined the protest, bringing the family’s demand and the investigation’s status into public discussion.

BJP leader Smriti Irani has criticised Congress and other opposition parties for protesting against the Election Commission’s electoral-roll revision process. Her remarks add to the political disagreement over voter registration, institutional accountability and the interpretation of election results.

The BJP retained control of the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation after winning 38 of the 44 seats in the 2026 civic elections. Congress secured five seats, while an Independent candidate won one seat.

Amit Shah accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of protecting alleged infiltrators amid protests against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Meanwhile, Piyush Goyal questioned why the Opposition had not presented its alleged vote-chori evidence before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has stayed the defamation trial against Rahul Gandhi over his 2018 remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the Rafale fighter jet deal. The court issued notice to the Maharashtra government and sought its response within four weeks.

A reported reshuffle of parliamentary committee chairpersons has highlighted changes in the leadership of several department-related committees. The proposed arrangements involve members of the BJP, Congress and Trinamool Congress.

Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Anindita Mitra received appreciation from Congress, BJP, AAP and Shiromani Akali Dal representatives for addressing their concerns during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. However, Congress and AAP clarified that their praise for the Punjab-level process did not indicate support for the wider SIR exercise.

The BJP criticised the Opposition's march to the Supreme Court over the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, calling it “pure theatrics”. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused Congress of blaming the Election Commission for its electoral defeats instead of examining its leadership. The remarks came as Opposition leaders sought judicial intervention over concerns surrounding the electoral-roll revision process.

The Samajwadi Party and Congress are signalling competing priorities ahead of seat-sharing negotiations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. While the Samajwadi Party remains the larger Opposition force in the state, Congress is seeking sufficient political space to rebuild its organisation. Despite public signals of pressure and disagreement, leaders from both parties maintain that the alliance remains intact and that the final decision will be taken by their senior leadership.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has weighed in on the Starlink licensing dispute as the Union government says satcom applicants face the same process.

Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar has alleged that an attempt was made to entrap him through a sting operation. The claim raises questions about the alleged operation, the evidence he says he possesses and whether further details will be made public.

Odisha's decision to establish a commission examining backward-class political representation has placed reservation, local democracy and electoral preparation at the centre of state politics.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi's coordination is being tested by competing candidates in Maharashtra's Legislative Council elections, highlighting the difficulties of maintaining unity among opposition parties.

The BJP accused Congress and Rahul Gandhi of making misleading “vote chori” allegations while opposing voter-roll verification. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi cited Congress leaders’ past concerns about duplicate voters and questioned the party’s opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Samajwadi Party’s absence from Mallikarjun Kharge’s lunch meeting for INDIA bloc leaders has triggered fresh speculation over coordination among Opposition parties.