SIR: Naidu miffed; apprehends attack on his constituency; BJP in tension

By Suresh Unnithan

It seems the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has landed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Modi government in a dilemma. There are visible apprehensions even within the ruling NDA on the “intent” of the SIR and the letter from TDP, a firm ally of the BJP-led ruling coalition shows that the minor partners of the BJP are not happy the way the Election Commission is hurriedly pushing SIR proceedings.

The TDP’s letter to the ECI, submitted on July 15, 2025, urges the commission to clearly define the SIR’s scope, explicitly stating it is not linked to citizenship verification, and to ensure transparency in the process. “This move has fuelled speculation of a rift within the NDA, as the TDP, a key BJP ally, appears to distance itself from what some perceive as a BJP-driven agenda to align SIR with broader citizenship issues, reminiscent of the National Register of Citizens (NRC)” observes a senior journalist.

In the letter TDP gas urged specific measures for the SIR process in Andhra Pradesh. The letter has emphasized that there should not be any re-verification of Recent Voters. “Voters included in the latest revision exercise should not face re-verification.”

It has demanded that there should not be any Burden on Voters. “The responsibility for verification should not fall on voters but on Booth Level Officers (BLOs).” The letter has also said that SIR should not be carried out in any hurry as it is currently being conducted in Bihar. “If SIR is to be conducted, it should start immediately to give voters adequate time, ideally not within six months of major elections.”

The TDP has further demanded in its letter to The ECI clarity on citizenship verification issues that could lead to massive exclusion from voters list. “The ECI should explicitly state that SIR is not linked to citizenship verification, addressing concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement.”

The NDA partner has also demanded a Third-Party Audit of the electoral list and SIR. The TDP has suggested annual audits under the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) “to strengthen electoral roll verification.”

TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu apprehends, SIR in its present form could potentially result in voter suppression, particularly of its supporters and the “the timing of SIR, which could disrupt electoral preparations in Andhra Pradesh.”  

The TDP’s letter, particularly its emphasis on ensuring SIR is not linked to citizenship verification, has fuelled speculation of a rift within the NDA, as it suggests “Naidu is wary of measures that could alienate minority or marginalized voters in Andhra Pradesh, a key TDP constituency.”

In fact, the TDP and BJP have a history of friction, notably in 2018 when Naidu exited the NDA over the denial of special category status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh. Naidu’s past criticisms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including calling for his resignation post-2002 Gujarat riots, indicate his willingness to challenge the BJP when state interests are at stake. The SIR letter could be interpreted as Naidu flexing his regional influence to protect Andhra Pradesh’s electoral integrity, potentially straining ties with the BJP.

With the BJP securing only 240 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, much short of the 272-majority mark, Naidu’s TDP (16 seats) is critical to the Modi Government’s stability. Any perceived rift could weaken the coalition, especially if Naidu feels the BJP is prioritizing its national agenda over Andhra Pradesh’s interests. However, Naidu’s logical tactics and focus on state development suggest  he may not quit the ruling coalition unless pushed to an extreme.