Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka government, alleging widespread irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Janata Dal (Secular) leader accused the state administration of misusing its machinery to manipulate voter lists and called for the immediate scrapping of the current exercise. Kumaraswamy alleged that the SIR process in various constituencies, including Yeshwanthpur and Ramanagara, was being conducted under direct political influence rather than following the strict guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The Union Minister expressed deep surprise over the silence of KPCC President BK Hariprasad and Home Minister Priyank Kharge on the matter. Speaking to the media at his residence, Kumaraswamy questioned where the KPCC President had disappeared to, noting that despite the unfolding chaos, a leader who usually comments on virtually every issue daily was nowhere to be seen. He argued that those who regularly lecture others about discipline and restraint should surely have something to say about these serious irregularities. He added that if the government had any dignity left, it would stop misusing officials, and suggested that the KPCC President should have found the courage to question wrongdoing within his own party's administration.
Consequently, Kumaraswamy urged the ECI to scrap the entire electoral roll revision conducted so far in Karnataka and appoint a competent officer from outside the state to oversee a fresh exercise. Asserting that there is no credibility left in the current process, he confirmed that his party had already lodged complaints with both the State Election Commission and the ECI. The Minister announced his intention to travel to New Delhi on Monday to meet the Election Commissioner formally, present detailed evidence of the irregularities, and demand a complete restart of the process.
Turning his attention to the recent eviction of street vendors, Kumaraswamy stated that while the Supreme Court's judgment concerning street vending must be respected, the government also had a clear responsibility to protect the livelihoods of those affected. He argued that by clearing footpaths without providing alternative arrangements, the government was pushing families who depend on street vending into destitution. He criticised the administration for being quick to demonstrate its sense of duty through bulldozing encroachments while showing a complete lack of humanity and concern for the future of the poor.
Responding to questions regarding the new Chief Minister completing one month in office, Kumaraswamy dismissed the milestone, claiming that nothing of substance had been achieved beyond empty announcements. He pointed out that promised recruitments for 76,000 vacancies had not even begun, accusing the government of securing quick publicity before moving on. He also criticised the allocation of 10 lakh rupees for Bharat Jodo teams, alleging that taxpayers' money was being squandered on party workers while ordinary people had their pockets picked. According to the Union Minister, the administration is merely moving from one foundation-stone ceremony to another, finding new ways to siphon off public funds under the guise of massive programmes.
Also read: Karnataka state assembly session deferred due to SIR: Shivakumar
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