Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge Criticizes Election Commission Over Electoral Roll Revision
Priyank Kharge calls CEC 'BJP stooge' over electoral roll revision
Asianet Newsable
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Priyank Kharge, Karnataka's Congress leader, has criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) and its Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, calling him a 'stooge of the BJP' over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Kharge alleges that the revision is manipulated to benefit the BJP, prompting discussions of a potential legal challenge by the Congress party.
- 01Kharge accused the ECI of lacking accountability and questioned its judicial immunity.
- 02The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Phase-III will cover over 36 crore electors across 16 states and 3 Union Territories.
- 03The draft electoral roll will be published on August 5, with claims and objections accepted until September 4.
- 04Karnataka's Law Minister HK Patil indicated readiness to challenge the SIR in the Supreme Court.
- 05A Congress Legislative Party meeting is scheduled to discuss the SIR exercise.
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Priyank Kharge, a prominent Congress leader and Karnataka minister, has vocally opposed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming it is being 'weaponised' to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He labeled Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as a 'stooge of the BJP' and demanded accountability from the Election Commission of India (ECI), questioning its judicial immunity. Kharge emphasized the seriousness of the SIR, stating, 'We will not accept that. We need very specific answers to our specific questions.' The ECI recently announced that the SIR Phase-III will encompass over 36 crore electors across 16 states and 3 Union Territories, with the draft roll set to be published on August 5. Claims and objections will be accepted until September 4, and the final electoral roll is scheduled for publication on October 7. In response to the situation, Karnataka's Law Minister HK Patil expressed the party's willingness to approach the Supreme Court, while a Congress Legislative Party meeting is planned to further discuss the SIR exercise.
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The electoral roll revision process is critical as it determines voter eligibility and can influence election outcomes in Karnataka.
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