Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday defended the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying the exercise was necessary to ensure that “infiltrators” are kept out of the democratic process, while alleging that some “deshdrohis” were trying to protect them.
Addressing a public rally in Guwahati, Modi took a sharp swipe at the Congress, accusing it of shielding illegal entrants and ignoring Assam and the Northeast for decades.
The Prime Minister said the SIR exercise was aimed at strengthening democracy and correcting past mistakes that had compromised the interests of local people.
He added that his government was committed to safeguarding the rights of genuine voters and ensuring transparency in elections.
Earlier in the day, Modi inaugurated the new terminal building of the Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati, marking a major boost to Assam’s aviation infrastructure.
The airport is named after Assam’s first chief minister. Modi also unveiled an 80-foot statue of Gopinath Bardoloi outside the airport, paying tribute to the veteran leader’s contribution to the state and the Northeast.
