Karnataka Congress ministers clash over electoral revision process ahead of national protest

NEW DELHI — A sharp political division has emerged within the Congress party after a Karnataka minister publicly defended the electoral revision process, contradicting the national leadership’s stance ahead of a planned protest in the capital.

The friction centers on the SIR revision exercise, which has drawn fierce opposition from the national party amid an ongoing campaign by Rahul Gandhi targeting the Election Commission over alleged vote theft. The controversy comes as the Congress party prepares to stage a demonstration in Delhi on November 1.

Karnataka minister Jarkiholi defended the local execution of the process, stating that the party never opposed the exercise within Karnataka itself, but only raised concerns over its roll-out in states such as West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Bihar. Jarkiholi maintained that due to proper training and groundwork, the revision was conducted correctly in Karnataka, suggesting other states should follow the same model. Addressing the deletion of approximately one crore names, Jarkiholi stated that the removals primarily covered duplicate entries, deceased individuals, and voters who had relocated.

The defense drew an immediate rebuttal from within the state cabinet. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge rejected the clean chit given by his colleague, pointing to alleged procedural irregularities in Kalaburagi and Vijayapura districts.

Priyank Kharge alleged that pre-filled Form 7 applications, which are used to request the deletion of names, were filed in bulk without proper verification. He stated that in Vijayapura, over 40 to 50 living people were incorrectly marked dead on paper and were forced to visit local offices in person to prove they were alive. Kharge asserted that similar issues had surfaced across the state, necessitating a thorough probe.

The internal dissent quickly drew the attention of the opposition. In a post on social media platform X, the BJP asserted that local Congress leaders were directly contradicting Rahul Gandhi’s campaign against the Election Commission. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra noted that while the central Congress leadership claims the electoral process is rigged, its own state minister found nothing wrong with it.

The dispute highlights ongoing sensitivity within the party regarding electoral rolls. In August of the previous year, Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna was asked to step down after openly questioning the high command’s line on vote theft.