Row Over SIR: Karnataka Minister Backs Voter Deletions, Rahul Gandhi Opposes, BJP MocksA major political controversy has emerged as Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Karnataka, differing from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's nationwide stance. Jarkiholi maintained that the enumeration and deletion of nearly one crore voters in Karnataka was properly conducted, removing duplicate, relocated, and deceased electors.
He stated that the party's objections were focused on states such as West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Bihar. In contrast, Rahul Gandhi has fiercely attacked the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the drive, alleging vote rigging and the disenfranchisement of genuine voters while demanding the exercise be halted.
The divergence has triggered attacks from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which claimed Congress leaders are exposing Rahul Gandhi's claims. Meanwhile, other Congress leaders have questioned the Karnataka deletions, citing reports of living electors being erroneously marked as dead and reaffirming full backing for Rahul Gandhi's nationwide campaign.