Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said the Congress government and party organization in the state are closely monitoring the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls, while warning of “irregularities” similar to those alleged in West Bengal.
Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said the process will begin soon in Karnataka and party workers have already been instructed to track additions and deletions in voter lists at the booth level. “In our state also, the SIR process will start. We also have to be careful. Anything that happened in West Bengal should not be allowed here,” he said.
Parameshwara said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already held discussions on the matter and preliminary work has begun in parts of the state. “This is our opinion, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already held a meeting on the issue. Mapping has already been completed in some places, while the matter is still pending in other places,” he said.
Referring to allegations surrounding revisions of electoral rolls in West Bengal, the state home minister said concerns had been raised about the impact of the process on the election results. “I was invited to attend a meeting regarding the SIR, but I could not attend due to various reasons. In West Bengal, many people claim that the government lost power due to alleged manipulation of the SIR. Analysts say that due to this manipulation, the BJP won nearly 100 seats with a margin of about 5,000 votes.”
“This should not be allowed in Karnataka and we are cautious,” he added.
Parameshwara said more clarity would emerge once the review process progressed. He added: “There will probably be more clarity after a few days. Once the entire process is completed, a clear picture will emerge.”
The minister said Congress has already directed grassroots workers and booth level agents (BLAs) to remain engaged throughout the process and coordinate with election officials. “We have already issued instructions to our party workers and booth level agents regarding monitoring the process and holding discussions with booth level officials. Additions and deletions in the voter list must be carefully monitored. The party has conveyed all these directions to the BLAs, and they will implement the work,” he said.
Parameshwara also spoke about preparations for a planned event in Tumakuru to mark the end of three years of Congress government in Karnataka.
He said the program would largely focus on initiatives undertaken by the Revenue Department, especially the distribution of land and property records. “Through the Revenue Department, decisions have been taken across the state regarding Bahani KhataTitle documents and village revenue records, and thousands of people have obtained land records in their names. “This can be termed as a major achievement for the Karnataka government,” he said.
“In continuation of this initiative, property documents will be distributed to 1.40 lakh (140,000) people under the planned programme,” he added.
The Congress government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, assumed office on May 20, 2023, after the party won the Assembly elections.
“We never imagined that the Congress government would soon complete three years in power. However, after the May 20 proposal to the Prime Minister’s Office, everything fell into place. Since the oath-taking ceremony was held on May 20 and the government came into existence on that day, it was decided to celebrate the occasion as completion of three years of the government’s life,” Parameshwara said.
“More importantly, this is primarily a revenue management program,” he added.
The Interior Minister also defended the government’s record in implementing election promises. He added: “More than 50% of the guarantees promised in the statement have already been implemented. There is also a need to reconsider this achievement.”
Responding to questions on speculation surrounding a possible cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka, Parameshwara said the matter rests entirely with the Congress leadership. “It is the decision of the party high command. I have repeatedly repeated this to the media,” he said.
