Karnataka CM Vows Impartial Voter Roll Revision
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared that the Congress government will not politicize the Systematic Identification Revision process. He made this statement while speaking to reporters in Belagavi on Monday. The Election Commission is currently undertaking this exercise across Karnataka.
Siddaramaiah emphasized that the government's only concern is protecting genuine voters. He wants to ensure that no eligible citizen gets unfairly deleted from the electoral rolls.
Clarifying Voter Mapping Reports
The Chief Minister directly addressed recent speculation. He dismissed reports suggesting nearly three crore voters in Karnataka were not properly mapped under the SIR process.
Siddaramaiah stated that booth-level officers received clear instructions. They were told to carry out the revision work with utmost care and precision. The goal is to safeguard every citizen's right to vote.
On a separate note, the CM voiced his support for using traditional ballot papers in upcoming municipal corporation elections. He believes this method ensures transparency.
Prepared for Border Dispute Hearing
Siddaramaiah also commented on the impending Supreme Court hearing regarding the long-standing Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute. He expressed full confidence in the state's legal team.
"Our primary contention is a fundamental question," Siddaramaiah explained. "Does the Maharashtra government even have the jurisdiction to file a petition concerning Karnataka's borders? That issue must be settled first."
He assured that Karnataka's legal arguments are robust and ready for the court's scrutiny.
Sharp Rebuke to Opposition Allegations
The Chief Minister reacted strongly to allegations made by MLA Janardhan Reddy. Reddy had accused the CM and other ministers of "looting the state."
Siddaramaiah countered that Reddy lacks the moral authority to make such claims. He pointed out that Reddy himself faced legal troubles for allegedly looting state resources and spent time in jail. The matter remains pending before the Supreme Court.
He accused the opposition of habitually making baseless allegations. Their aim, he said, is to mislead the public and create unnecessary controversy.
Focus on the Legislative Session
With the Karnataka legislature session scheduled to begin on January 22nd, Siddaramaiah issued a clear appeal to the opposition.
He urged them to raise any legitimate issues formally on the floor of the House. He asked them to engage in substantive debate during the session instead of indulging in political rhetoric outside the assembly.
Addressing Other Government Matters
The Chief Minister touched upon several other administrative issues:
- Internal Reservation Bill: Regarding the Governor returning the internal reservation bill, Siddaramaiah said the government will prepare and submit appropriate clarifications. They intend to address all the points raised by the Governor's office.
- Delhi Visit: When asked about a possible visit to New Delhi, Siddaramaiah stated his travel plans depend on the party leadership. He confirmed he would travel to the capital if senior party members call him for important discussions.
Siddaramaiah's statements set the tone for the government's approach ahead of a crucial legislative session, focusing on administrative diligence and challenging political opponents.
