Published Jun 28, 2026 | 4:08 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 28, 2026 | 4:08 PM
Siddaramaiah addressing an SIR awareness convention in Mysuru.
Synopsis: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged Congress workers to closely monitor the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and ensure that no eligible voter is excluded. Addressing a party convention in Mysuru, he alleged that the BJP was using the exercise to target non-BJP voters and warned that even small-scale voter deletions could influence results in closely contested constituencies.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday, 28 June, urged Congress workers to closely monitor the ongoing month-long Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted by the Election Commission of India and ensure that no eligible voter was left out.
Addressing an SIR awareness convention in Mysuru as part of the party’s campaign during the third phase of the exercise, which began on 25 June, Siddaramaiah said the Commission was bound to function in accordance with the Constitution, but alleged that developments since 2014 amounted to a “betrayal of votes.”
“This is not the first time that a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is being conducted. The Election Commission was established in 1950, and the first election was held in 1952. Since then, the Commission has been revising the electoral rolls, but it does not have the authority to exclude eligible voters,” he said.
“Only those who win through the people’s majority are entitled to govern, not those who resort to deception.”
Calling July a crucial month, Siddaramaiah directed party functionaries to coordinate with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), undertake door-to-door visits with them..
“We must work to expose the conspiracy of the BJP and Prime Minister Modi. Once democracy is lost in this country, slavery will return—be warned,” he said.
“You have an opportunity, and if you miss it, the consequences are certain. You will be given an enumeration form; fill it out correctly and obtain an acknowledgment of receipt. This is extremely important.”
ಎಸ್ಐಆರ್ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ಇದು ಮೊದಲ ಬಾರಿಯಲ್ಲ, 1950ರಲ್ಲಿ ಚುನಾವಣಾ ಆಯೋಗ ರಚನೆಯಾಗಿ, 1952 ರಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಥಮ ಚುನಾವಣೆ ನಡೆಯಿತು. ಆಗಿಂದ್ದಾಗ ಆಯೋಗವು ಮತದಾರರ ಪಟ್ಟಿ ಪರಿಷ್ಕರಣೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾ ಬಂದಿದೆ, ಆದರೆ ಅರ್ಹ ಮತದಾರರನ್ನು ಕೈಬಿಡುವ ಅಧಿಕಾರ ಆಯೋಗಕ್ಕೆ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಆಯೋಗ ಸಂವಿಧಾನಬದ್ಧವಾಗಿಯೇ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು. ಇತ್ತೀಚಿನ ವರ್ಷಗಳಲ್ಲಿ… pic.twitter.com/b7p01dE9e4
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) June 28, 2026
Siddaramaiah noted that many elections were decided by margins of 1,000 to 5,000 votes.
“In such constituencies, if four or five thousand votes are removed, it becomes difficult for our candidates to win. That is why the party is organizing awareness programs on such a large scale. They delete the votes of the poor, farmers, labourers, and minorities who vote for the Congress party. These people are the BJP’s target,” he alleged.
Referring to the BJP’s vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Siddaramaiah said the party had secured 36 percent of the votes, while 64 percent of voters had supported other parties.
“Imagine what happens if 10 percent of those 64 percent of votes are removed,” he said, urging Congress MLAs, leaders, and workers to remain vigilant during the SIR exercise from 30 June to 29 July.
“Do not forget that there is no longer a constitutionally functioning Election Commission in the country,” he alleged.
He further said that the BJP’s Lok Sabha tally had declined from 303 seats in 2019 to 240 in 2024 because of rising prices, broken promises, and unemployment. He alleged that the party was now attempting to alter future electoral outcomes through the SIR process.
Siddaramaiah also referred to electoral roll revisions in 13 States and three Union Territories and questioned their outcomes in Haryana, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, while claiming that “their game did not succeed in Kerala, that’s all.”
He further alleged that the BJP had come to power in Karnataka twice through Operation Kamala and would “not hesitate to do whatever it takes to stay in power.”
