Bengaluru: KPCC president B K Hariprasad has alleged that nearly one crore voter names have been deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, describing the exercise as a conspiracy. He said the Congress would continue to fight against what he termed wrongful deletions.
Addressing a press conference, Hariprasad said the party had booth-wise records of deleted names and would conduct verification at district and taluk levels. Eligible voters would be assisted in re-enrolling through Form 6, he added.
On the Congress’s defeat in the Legislative Council elections, Hariprasad said the party accepted the verdict and would review its performance through consultations with district Congress presidents. He noted that candidates had been announced 10 months in advance and party leaders and workers had campaigned extensively.
He rejected allegations that neglect of party workers had contributed to the defeat, pointing out that thousands of workers had been accommodated in various positions.
Hariprasad acknowledged that the BJP-JD(S) alliance could pose a challenge to the Congress. However, he alleged that the BJP was relying on H D Kumaraswamy because it could not defeat the Congress on its own. He said the party would formulate a counter-strategy.
Dismissing Kumaraswamy’s claims that the sting operation controversy and speculation over a leadership change had contributed to the poll defeat, Hariprasad said leadership change was not a factor.
Defending the Congress government’s performance, Hariprasad said its administration could not be described as misgovernance and that any shortcomings would be rectified. Fresh appointments to various boards and corporations are expected next month, he said.
He also clarified that his meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was in his capacity as a senior party leader. Siddaramaiah may meet Rahul Gandhi during his proposed Delhi visit for a mega rally in November, he added.
Hariprasad expressed confidence that local body elections would be held by December 31, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions.
