LUCKNOW, Dec. 12 -- The ruling party in UP and the opposition welcomed the two-week extension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) deadline, albeit in different tones. While the BJP described it as a decision in public interest, Samajwadi Party sought to claim credit for the extension, and the Congress demanded an even longer window. BJP state spokesperson Hero Vajpayee welcomed the decision, saying: "The extension of the SIR deadline will ensure that no eligible voter is left out. The ECI has extended the deadline in the larger interest of the people." In a post in Hindi on X, SP president Akhilesh Yadav said: "The extension of SIR deadline by two weeks is a victory for our legitimate demand and also for the BLOs and PDA sentinels. In these two weeks, all PDA sentinels should redouble their efforts to ensure that not a single valid vote is lost. The country is honouring PDA sentinels as 'Democracy Warriors' because they are safeguarding the democratic future." UPCC chief Ajay Rai said that the SIR deadline should be extended by at least two months. "When elections are in 2027, why does the government want to pressure BLOs to complete work in December 2025. Deaths of BLOs under pressure can be avoided if the last date for SIR is extended till February. In a state like UP, with a population larger than many others, at least two months are needed," he said. htc...