As BJP, Kumaraswamy Oppose Karnataka SIR, Congress Dares Them to Say It is 'Wrong, Anti-Democratic'
New Delhi: Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, on Monday (July 6) called out the "hypocrisy" as Union minister and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy and Bharataiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Karnataka raised objections pertaining to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.
"Strange hypocrisy by utterly divided and frustrated BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] leaders of Karnataka (joined of course by Mr. H.D.Kumaraswamy) in opposing “Special Intensive Revision” in Karnataka," Surjewala wrote on X.
Further, he dared the JD(S) leader and the BJP to state that the assembly election results in Bihar, West Bengal and Assam should be set aside and accept that the SIR is "wrong, anti-democratic and an assault on the democracy and constitution".
"We, at INC India and INC Karnataka welcome their opposition to SIR and call upon/dare them (BJP & JD-S) leaders of Karnataka to show the guts to come out and state - 1. That Deletion of 47 Lakh Votes in SIR in Bihar before Assembly Elections were wrong and that result of last Bihar Assembly Elections should be set aside. 2. The Deletion of 84 Lakh Votes in SIR in West Bengal before Assembly Elections were wrong and that result of last Assembly Elections should be set aside. 3. The Deletion of 11 Lakh Votes in SIR in Assam before Assembly Elections were wrong and that result of last Assembly Elections should be set aside. 4. That SIR process is wrong, anti-democratic and an assault on the Democracy and Constitution as also that SIR process should be immediately scrapped across India. 5. That ECI is horribly wrong in initiating SIR in the first instance and it is in reality a Vote Deletion Exercise aimed at undermining the Republic and its People," Surjewala added.
Strange hypocrisy by utterly divided and frustrated BJP leaders of Karnataka (joined of course by Mr. H.D.Kumaraswamy) in opposing “Special Intensive Revision” in Karnataka.
We, at @INCIndia & @INCKarnataka , welcome their opposition to SIR and call upon/dare them (BJP & JD-S)… pic.twitter.com/N6uZXCDjJj
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 6, 2026
The SIR process was mired in controversies in both West Bengal and Bihar.
For instance, in West Bengal, 2.7 million voters were left waiting as 19 judicial tribunals decided their fate less than two weeks before polls, with even the Supreme Court refusing to grant interim relief. The tribunals eventually took decision on a minuscule number of cases before polling day.
As reported by The Wire, in 150 seats, more than half of West Bengal’s 294, total deletions were greater than victory margins, and out of these the BJP won 99. In 2021, it had won just 19 of these.
'Breach of established SIR guidelines'
On Monday, a delegation of BJP and JD(S) leaders, including Kumaraswamy, former chief minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Union ministers Prahlad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje, Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly R. Ashok, and Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, former deputy chief minister C.N. Ashwathnarayan, among others met Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar and submitted a complaint alleging "irregularities" in the SIR process in the state.
"We write to express serious concern over the massive irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of the electoral rolls in the state of Karnataka. The officials who are supposed to conduct the SIR are showing zero regard for the approved process, thereby undermining the very spirit of democracy," the leaders said in the letter.
“Instead of visiting homes, BLOs were filling enumeration forms from community halls, mosques, and even their own residences,” they added.
Further, the leaders mentioned that WhatsApp groups have also been created for the purpose of SIR by BLOs.
"Such a practice is a breach of the established SIR guidelines and raises serious concerns regarding the neutrality and secular character of the electoral process," they said, adding that "If such practices continued, they would result in an unsustainable and unreliable electoral roll.”
A joint delegation of the @JanataDal_S and @BJP4Karnataka met the State Chief Electoral Officer and submitted a detailed complaint, supported by documentary evidence, over the Congress Government’s misuse of the SIR process to manipulate electoral rolls in Karnataka.
Along with… pic.twitter.com/hCtYniJ0JG
— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | HD Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) July 6, 2026
Interestingly, The Wire has reported that even in BJP-ruled Maharashtra, BLOs have created Whatsapp groups for the purpose of collecting information pertaining to the SIR process as they are under severe pressure and working under deadlines.
'Ensuring that everyone gets the right to vote'
Meanwhile, Karnataka chief minister D.K. Shivakumar rejected the irregularities claim and slammed the opposition saying they "only want poor people and minorities to face difficulties".
"The government will not interfere in the SIR process. The opposition is worried because the government is creating awareness about the process on such a large scale. Around 4.5 crore people have obtained caste and income certificates. They have been given the facility to download these certificates online. The opposition only wants poor people and minorities to face difficulties," Shivakumar said.
"Tell us where the Bangladeshi migrants are. If they are there, why didn't your government take action when it was in power? Let them criticise as much as they want. Criticism fades away, but good work remains," he added. "We are ensuring that everyone gets the right to vote. The Opposition should appreciate the work we have done. I have also instructed our party workers to remain alert. The Opposition only speaks to criticise."
This article went live on July sixth, two thousand twenty six, at fifty-seven minutes past eleven at night.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
