DMK Opposed SIR From Day One, Udhayanidhi Says on Voter Deletions
DMK Opposed SIR From Day One, Udhayanidhi Says on Voter Deletions
Deputy CM says SIR faced a tight timeline and more voters were deleted than expected — about 97 lakh statewide and 14 lakh in Chennai — with DMK planning re-inclusion steps.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said DMK and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had opposed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls from the very beginning. He argued that the time frame was too short and the deletions were higher than anticipated: over 97 lakh voters statewide and about 14 lakh in Chennai. He recalled that the Chief Minister had earlier pointed to deletions in Bihar after SIR and stressed that Tamil Nadu saw more voters dropped than expected. At a DMK district secretaries' meeting, clear instructions were given to re-add the voters who were dropped, those who were left out, and those who migrated. The public was advised to verify their names on the rolls, with re-inclusion possible until January 18.
Earlier in the day, Udhayanidhi inaugurated a new night shelter for the homeless near Marina Beach in the Thiruvallikeni-Chepauk constituency. Built at 86.4 lakh from the Greater Chennai Corporation funds, it can shelter 86 people. The facility includes mats, pillows, bed sheets, separate toilets and bathrooms, lockers, and drinking water and power supply. The Chennai Corporation already operates shelters at 45 locations.
The political discourse around the SIR comes as discussions around potential deletions—reported as around 9.7 million names—spread ahead of the 2026 elections, prompting the DMK to emphasize accuracy while preserving eligible voters. Observers note unusual patterns in deletions across some areas, underscoring calls for transparency and careful verification of rolls.
