Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Saturday issued a sharp alert over the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process for voter rolls in the state, warning that the kind of alleged electoral manipulation seen in West Bengal must not be allowed to occur in Karnataka. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said the state government and the ruling Indian National Congress (Congress) party are closely monitoring the process.

What Parameshwara Said

"In our state as well, the SIR process will begin. We also need to be careful. Anything that happened in West Bengal should not be allowed here," Parameshwara said. He added that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already convened a meeting on the matter, and mapping has been completed in some areas while it remains pending in others.

Parameshwara referred to analyst assessments suggesting that alleged SIR manipulation in West Bengal may have cost the ruling dispensation power, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reportedly winning nearly 100 seats by margins of around 5,000 votes each. "This should not be allowed in Karnataka and we are careful," he stated.

Party Mobilisation and Monitoring Measures

The minister said instructions have already been issued to Congress party workers and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to monitor the SIR process closely and engage with Booth Level Officers (BLOs). "Additions and deletions in the voter list have to be monitored carefully. The party has conveyed all these directions to the BLAs, and they will carry out the work," Parameshwara said.

He acknowledged that he could not attend a recent SIR-related meeting due to prior commitments, but said greater clarity on the process would emerge in the coming days once the revision is completed fully.

Three Years of Congress Government: Celebrations Planned

Separately, Parameshwara spoke about preparations for a mega event in his native Tumakuru city to mark the completion of three years of the Congress government in Karnataka. The event, anchored by the Revenue Department, will see property documents distributed to 1.40 lakh people.

"Through the Revenue Department, decisions have been taken across the state regarding pahani khata, property documents and revenue village records, and lakhs of people have received land records in their names. This can be described as a major achievement of the Karnataka government," he said.

The celebration is scheduled around 20 May, the date of the Congress government's swearing-in ceremony. Parameshwara noted that more than 50 per cent of the assurances promised in the party's election manifesto have already been fulfilled.

Cabinet Reshuffle Question

On the question of a possible Cabinet reshuffle, Parameshwara deflected, saying the decision rests with the party high command. "It is the decision of the party high command. I have been repeating this to the media time and again," he said.

With the SIR process set to unfold in the weeks ahead, the Karnataka government's vigilance posture signals that electoral integrity will be a politically charged issue in the state heading into future election cycles.