The INDIA Bloc parties in Karnataka have decided to launch a coordinated statewide campaign under the slogan 'Save the Vote, Save the Country' to oppose alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, demand the restoration of deleted voters' names, and seek the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The decision was announced on Friday, 16 October 2025, at a state-level meeting held at the Legislators' Home in Bengaluru.

What the Meeting Decided

The meeting, convened under the leadership of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad, centred on the SIR process and the alleged deletion of over 13 crore eligible voters' names from electoral rolls across the country. Attendees resolved to constitute a coordination committee drawing representatives from the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), CPI(ML) Liberation, Samajwadi Party, Forward Bloc, and other constituent parties. The committee is tasked with formulating campaign strategy and organising public mobilisation from Bengaluru down to district and taluk levels.

What the INDIA Bloc Alleged

Speaking at the meeting, Hariprasad stated that the right to vote was the foundation of democracy and that the exclusion of genuine, eligible voters could not be accepted under any circumstances. 'The SIR process must be scrapped completely. Around 13 crore voters have been removed from electoral rolls across the country, and the names of eligible voters must be restored. The INDIA Bloc's clear stand is that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar should resign,' he said.

Hariprasad also accused the Union government of adopting what he characterised as an anti-democratic approach, alleging that the Election Commission of India (ECI) — a constitutional body expected to function independently — was acting in favour of a political party. The ECI and the government have not responded publicly to these specific allegations. The INDIA Bloc's charges of deliberate voter roll manipulation are contested claims; the ECI has, in other contexts, maintained that SIR is a routine exercise to improve electoral roll accuracy.

Protest Calendar and Mobilisation Plan

The meeting charted a clear protest timeline. Representatives of all INDIA Bloc constituent parties from Karnataka will participate in a large-scale protest at Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi, scheduled for 1 November. This will be followed by a major rally in Bengaluru on 5 November, specifically targeting the SIR process and demanding Kumar's resignation. The campaign is thereafter expected to be expanded to every district and taluk across the state.

Leaders stressed the importance of bringing together farmers, workers, women, students, youth, and progressive organisations to convert the campaign into a mass movement, according to statements at the meeting.

Who Attended and What They Said

The meeting was attended by All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary Gopinath Palaniappan, CPI(M) state secretary K. Prakash, CPI state secretary Sathi Sundaresh, Samajwadi Party state president Manjappa Yadav, and representatives of CPI(ML) Liberation, Forward Bloc, and other INDIA Bloc constituents. Hariprasad asserted that 'the struggle to protect the Constitution and the right to vote will not be stopped under any circumstances', framing the campaign as a citizens' fight rather than a purely partisan one.

Broader Context

The SIR has drawn criticism from opposition parties in multiple states, who argue it disproportionately affects marginalised and migrant voter communities. This comes amid a wider national debate over electoral roll integrity ahead of upcoming state assembly elections. Notably, this is one of the more organised multi-party opposition mobilisations on an electoral-process issue since the 2024 general election cycle. How the Election Commission responds — and whether the protest gains traction beyond Karnataka — will shape the political contours of the coming months.