Kharge Tears Into BJP, EC Over SIR, Questions Distribution of 400-Plus Pre-Printed Forms

Bengaluru, Oct 4: Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the BJP and the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, questioning the alleged distribution of more than 400 pre-printed forms and raising concerns over the credibility of the exercise.

Kharge questioned how 400 to 500 forms could have been distributed to individuals who were not Booth Level Agents (BLAs), while stressing that even BLAs were not permitted to receive pre-printed forms.

“If they are not BLAs, they cannot be given 400 to 500 forms. Even if they are BLAs, pre-printed forms cannot be given. Then where did more than 400 forms come from?” he asked.

The Minister said the issue went beyond the forms and concerned the transparency and credibility of the entire SIR exercise. Referring to criticism from former Election Commissioners and developments in Bihar and West Bengal, he said several questions had emerged over the manner in which the electoral-roll revision was being conducted.

Calling SIR a “drama”, Kharge alleged that people themselves were questioning the process and accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of “hiding the truth”. He further alleged that the CEC was functioning as a “puppet of the Centre”.

Kharge also raised questions over the software being used for Form 6, saying allegations of possible tampering were serious and warranted an audit by an IIT.

“If the software has not been tampered with, why is it being audited? When an IIT audit is taking place, how can anyone say beforehand that there was no tampering? That has to be established,” he said.

He also questioned the Election Commission's move concerning judicial protection for the Chief Election Commissioner, asking why such protection was required and pointing out that previous election commissioners had not sought similar protection.

Kharge's remarks came amid an intensifying Congress-BJP confrontation over the SIR exercise. While the BJP has raised concerns over the electoral-roll revision, the Congress has turned its focus towards the Election Commission's procedures and the credibility of the process.

The Karnataka minister said developments in Bihar, West Bengal and Haryana, along with concerns raised by former election officials, made it necessary to scrutinise the SIR process and ensure accountability and transparency in its implementation.