NEW DELHI: Senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Saturday questioned the government’s changing stand on holding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Parliament, suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi sit together for an open debate on the issue.“Earlier, when the Opposition demanded a discussion on SIR, the Home Minister said the government had nothing to do with it as it was the Election Commission’s responsibility. Now, he is saying that a special session can be convened for a discussion. Why has the government’s stand changed? I have a suggestion: let the Prime Minister and the Leader of Opposition sit together and question each other. Let the discussion continue as long as possible. This would give the Prime Minister an opportunity to answer questions for the first time in 12 years, which would be a historic occasion,” Sibal said.His remarks came after Rahul Gandhi on Saturday challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to an open debate on the SIR exercise. Sharing a video of Shah’s remarks, the Congress leader said, “Amit Shah ji, don’t confuse Modi ji. Just convince him to have an open debate with me. Any platform, any time. Don’t be afraid.”The challenge drew a sharp response from the BJP, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi accusing Rahul of sharing an edited video of Shah’s remarks without the proper context. He said the clip exposed Rahul’s “absolute lack of homework on SIR”.
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The video featured Shah’s remarks in Parliament and at another public address. In his parliamentary remarks, Shah questioned the possibility of holding a discussion on SIR in the House and asked who would be held responsible if questions were raised.Responding to Rahul’s demand for a debate with the Prime Minister, Shah said Modi’s presence was not necessary for the discussion.“Rahul ji, Modi ji ki zaroorat nahi hai… Hum SIR par charcha ke liye vishesh sansad ka satra bulane ke liye taiyaar hain,” Shah said.The edited video juxtaposed Shah’s remarks with an earlier statement by Rahul, who had said, “Inko hum matlab pagal kar denge”. It ended with Rahul smiling at a press conference, alongside an overlay reading “Confusion mein aa gaye”.