Kumaraswamy demands scrapping of Karnataka SIR, to meet EC on Monday
Synopsis
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has declared Karnataka's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls 'meaningless' and is heading to Delhi on Monday to demand the Election Commission halt the process entirely — a direct escalation that puts the Congress-led state government squarely in the crosshairs over alleged lapses in a foundational democratic exercise.
Key Takeaways
Kumaraswamy on 4 July demanded the complete cancellation of Karnataka's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, calling it 'meaningless'.
He alleged serious lapses in the process, including revision activities being conducted on roadsides and in public places.
Kumaraswamy will travel to Delhi on Monday to meet the Election Commission of India and urge a halt to the process.
He criticised KPCC President B.K.
Hariprasad , Home Minister Priyank Kharge , and the Congress government for their silence on the alleged irregularities.
The Union Minister also demanded that the Karnataka government provide alternative arrangements for roadside vendors before proceeding with footpath eviction drives.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday, 4 July launched a sharp attack on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, calling the exercise 'meaningless' and demanding that the entire process be cancelled. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy said he would travel to Delhi on Monday to personally place his concerns before the Election Commission of India (ECI).
What Kumaraswamy Said
The Union Minister was unsparing in his assessment of the SIR process. 'Our demand is that the entire process carried out so far should be completely cancelled,' he said, alleging serious lapses in the manner the voter revision exercise was being conducted. He added that state election authorities had already referred the matter to the central election authorities, with further action pending their directions.
'I will place before the Election Commission all the details of what has taken place here and urge them to halt the ongoing process and ensure that a transparent voter revision exercise is conducted,' Kumaraswamy said.
Attack on the Karnataka Government and Congress
Kumaraswamy directed pointed criticism at the Karnataka government, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad, and State Home Minister Priyank Kharge over what he described as their silence on the alleged irregularities.
'The state government has not reacted in any manner. I do not know where the Congress President (Mallikarjun Kharge) has disappeared. Those who make comments every day, what do they have to say about this issue? The Home Minister (Priyank Kharge), who issues statements on everything on a daily basis, what is his response to this?' he asked. He also questioned why the SIR process was reportedly being conducted on roadsides and in public places, contrasting it with the government's ongoing footpath clearance drives in the city.
Roadside Vendors and Footpath Evictions
Kumaraswamy also raised a separate but connected concern — the impact of Bengaluru's ongoing footpath clearance drives on street vendors. While acknowledging the Supreme Court's directions underpinning the evictions, he argued that the state government had a duty to ensure the livelihoods of those displaced were protected.
'We all accept the Supreme Court's orders. But lakhs of families depend on roadside vending for their daily livelihood,' he said, demanding that the Karnataka government first put in place alternative arrangements before evicting vendors. 'You cannot suddenly evict them and leave them wondering where they should go,' he added.
Key Developments
This comes amid broader political tensions in Karnataka between the ruling Indian National Congress (Congress) government and opposition parties. The SIR controversy adds another flashpoint to an already charged political environment in the state, with the Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)]-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance sharpening its attacks ahead of future electoral cycles. Kumaraswamy's planned meeting with the Election Commission on Monday is expected to formally escalate the dispute to the national level.
What Happens Next
The Election Commission is yet to publicly respond to the allegations. Kumaraswamy's Delhi visit on Monday will be closely watched as a signal of whether the opposition's challenge to the SIR process gains traction at the central level. Any directive from the ECI to review or suspend the revision exercise in Karnataka would mark a significant political development in the state.
Point of View
And allegations of procedural lapses deserve scrutiny regardless of who raises them. The more telling detail is the silence from the Karnataka government and Congress leadership that Kumaraswamy highlights; if the ruling party cannot account for how a state-level SIR is being conducted, that is a governance failure, not just an opposition talking point. His Monday meeting with the ECI will test whether this is a genuine accountability push or a pressure tactic ahead of the next electoral cycle.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a periodic exercise conducted by election authorities to update and verify voter lists, adding new eligible voters and removing ineligible entries. Kumaraswamy has alleged serious lapses in how the current SIR is being carried out in Karnataka, calling for the entire process to be scrapped.
Why is Kumaraswamy demanding the cancellation of the SIR process?
Kumaraswamy alleges that the SIR process in Karnataka lacks credibility due to serious lapses in its conduct, including revision activities reportedly taking place on roadsides and in public places. He has called for a transparent voter revision exercise to be conducted afresh.
When will Kumaraswamy meet the Election Commission?
Kumaraswamy announced on 4 July that he would travel to Delhi on Monday to meet the Election Commission of India. He said he would present all details of the alleged irregularities and urge the Commission to halt the ongoing SIR process in Karnataka.
Who has Kumaraswamy criticised over the SIR controversy?
Kumaraswamy criticised the Karnataka state government, KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad, and State Home Minister Priyank Kharge for their silence on the alleged irregularities. He also questioned Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's absence from the debate.
What did Kumaraswamy say about Bengaluru's footpath eviction drives?
While accepting the Supreme Court's directions on footpath clearance, Kumaraswamy demanded that the Karnataka government first provide alternative arrangements for displaced roadside vendors before proceeding with evictions. He argued that the livelihoods of lakhs of families dependent on street vending must be protected.
