The Congress party in Karnataka has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to target 97 of its sitting assembly seats. The party plans to mobilize its booth-level network to assist voters in filling enumeration forms and ensure no eligible voter is left out of the electoral rolls.
Congress Alleges BJP's Motive Behind SIR
According to Congress leaders, the BJP is exploiting the SIR process to selectively delete names of opposition supporters from the voter list, particularly in constituencies where the Congress holds a strong presence. The party claims that the BJP's aim is to manipulate the electoral rolls ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
Karnataka Congress President stated, "The BJP is misusing the SIR to target 97 seats held by Congress. We will not allow any voter to be disenfranchised. Our booth-level workers will guide voters through the form-filling process and ensure their names remain on the rolls."
Congress Strategy to Counter SIR
The Congress has devised a comprehensive strategy to counter the alleged BJP move. The party will deploy its booth-level committees across the state to help voters fill out enumeration forms correctly and submit them on time. Additionally, Congress workers will verify the draft electoral rolls to identify any wrongful deletions or omissions.
The party has also planned awareness campaigns to educate voters about their rights and the procedures to register complaints if their names are wrongly removed. Congress leaders have urged the Election Commission to monitor the SIR process closely to ensure transparency and fairness.
Impact on Electoral Rolls
The Special Intensive Revision is a periodic exercise aimed at updating electoral rolls by adding new voters and removing deceased or shifted individuals. However, the Congress alleges that the BJP is using this routine process to target specific communities and opposition supporters. The party has cited instances where names of Congress voters were deleted without proper verification.
According to sources, the Congress has identified 97 constituencies where the BJP is allegedly focusing its efforts. These include both urban and rural seats where the Congress has a significant vote share. The party has demanded a detailed inquiry into the deletions and has threatened to approach the courts if necessary.
Political Reactions
The BJP has dismissed the Congress allegations as baseless. State BJP spokesperson said, "The SIR is a routine administrative process. Congress is making false accusations to cover up its own failures. The Election Commission is conducting the revision impartially."
Meanwhile, other opposition parties have also expressed concerns over the SIR process. The Janata Dal (Secular) has called for a review of the deletions and urged the EC to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised. The Congress has also sought a meeting with the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka to discuss the issue.
Next Steps
The Congress plans to submit a memorandum to the Election Commission detailing the alleged irregularities. The party will also launch a helpline for voters to report problems with their enrollment. Booth-level workers will conduct door-to-door campaigns to assist voters in the enumeration process.
With the assembly elections expected later this year, the battle over electoral rolls is likely to intensify. The Congress is banking on its grassroots network to protect its voter base, while the BJP continues to deny any wrongdoing.
