Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday, 9 July publicly challenged the Karnataka State Chief Electoral Officer's assertion that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls had been conducted without large-scale irregularities. Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy maintained that documentary evidence submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI) directly contradicts the CEO's position.

The Core Dispute

Kumaraswamy stated that he, along with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, had submitted a formal memorandum to the ECI backed by documentary proof alleging that the SIR was carried out in groups — a practice reportedly at odds with prescribed guidelines. 'We have submitted documentary evidence showing that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was carried out in groups in several places, including Ramanagara and Yeshwanthpur,' he said, adding pointedly: 'If the SIR process was conducted properly, why were notices issued to 35 Booth Level Officers (BLOs)?'

The Union Minister argued that the very fact that notices were served on BLOs undermined the CEO's claim that the exercise had proceeded in full compliance with ECI norms.

What the CEO Said

Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbu Kumar had on Wednesday, 8 July rejected allegations of irregularities, asserting that the SIR is being conducted strictly in accordance with Election Commission of India guidelines. Kumaraswamy's press conference was a direct rebuttal to that statement, framing the CEO's denial as inconsistent with the action already taken against field-level officials.

Other Political Salvos

Kumaraswamy declined to elaborate on Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's reported decision to cancel several tenders awarded during the tenure of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and float fresh ones, but signalled that disclosures were forthcoming. 'I will not speak about this today. Let the right time come, and I will disclose everything,' he told reporters, adding that he considered the cancellations 'not the right course of action.'

On Shivakumar's announcement of a ₹1.5 lakh crore development outlay for Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy was dismissive, drawing a contrast between the government's headline-grabbing sapling-planting drive — which it claims set a Guinness World Record with 1.5 million saplings — and what he described as inadequate follow-through. 'They even brought paddy planters to plant the saplings just to create a Guinness record,' he remarked.

Kumaraswamy's Political Trajectory

Asked about his own political future in Karnataka, Kumaraswamy said he intends to return to active state politics, though not immediately. He also noted growing internal pressure within the Janata Dal (Secular) to field its own candidate in the proposed by-election to the Hiriyur Assembly constituency, signalling that the party is not inclined to cede the seat without a contest.

With the SIR dispute now escalating between the BJP-led central delegation and the state electoral machinery, the ECI's response to the memorandum will be closely watched.