Congress Alleges Systematic Vote Deletion in Karnataka
The Congress party has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a systematic plan to delete 5,000 to 10,000 votes in every assembly constituency during the Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka. Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh made the allegation on 5 July 2026, stating that the BJP's objective is to manipulate the voter list to its advantage.
Jairam Ramesh's Statement
Speaking to the media, Ramesh said, "BJP's objective is to ensure 5,000 to 10,000 votes get deleted in every seat during SIR in Karnataka." He claimed that the party organization is taking all necessary steps to ensure due diligence is carried out to protect the integrity of the electoral rolls. The Congress leader did not provide specific evidence but asserted that the party is monitoring the revision process closely.
Context of the Special Summary Revision
The SIR is a periodic exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to update electoral rolls, adding new voters and removing deceased or shifted individuals. The process is currently underway in Karnataka, with political parties closely watching for any irregularities. The Congress alleges that the BJP is using the revision to delete legitimate voters, particularly from constituencies where the opposition has a strong base.
Impact on Electoral Landscape
If true, the deletion of thousands of votes per seat could significantly alter the electoral outcome in a state where margins are often narrow. Karnataka has 224 assembly constituencies, meaning the alleged deletions could affect up to 2.24 million votes statewide. The Congress has urged the Election Commission to ensure a transparent and fair revision process, calling for strict action against any attempts to manipulate the rolls.
BJP's Response
The BJP has dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. State BJP leaders have accused the Congress of trying to create confusion and undermine the credibility of the electoral process. They have challenged the Congress to provide proof of the alleged deletions, calling the claims a diversion from the party's internal issues.
Congress's Call for Vigilance
Ramesh emphasized that the Congress is taking all necessary steps to ensure that due diligence required by the party organisation is being carried out. He urged party workers to be vigilant and report any suspicious deletions to the Election Commission. The party has also planned to file formal complaints with the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka, demanding a thorough investigation.
