SIR Transparency Row: Congress, BJP Trade Charges and Counter-Charges

Bengaluru: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Karnataka, with KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad and Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra exchanging allegations on the social media platform ‘X’.

Hariprasad questioned the BJP’s defence of the Election Commission and said the poll panel should itself respond to concerns surrounding the SIR exercise. He called for greater transparency and sought answers to questions being raised about the revision process.

Vijayendra hit back, arguing that the Congress should examine its own political performance instead of repeatedly questioning constitutional institutions. He alleged that the party accepts the electoral system when it wins but raises doubts about it after facing defeat.

The BJP leader also referred to Supreme Court proceedings concerning the SIR conducted in Bihar in 2025. The court had directed the Election Commission to publish details of voters excluded from the draft electoral roll and the reasons for their exclusion.

Vijayendra further referred to the Supreme Court’s proceedings concerning the legal framework for the Bihar SIR. In its May 27, 2026 judgment, the court recorded the Election Commission’s reliance on its constitutional powers under Article 324 and relevant statutory provisions while undertaking the exercise.

He also cited the 1975 Indira Gandhi–Raj Narain case while criticising the Congress over its arguments on electoral transparency and democratic institutions.

The exchange has added to the ongoing political debate over the SIR process, the Election Commission’s role and the transparency of electoral-roll revision. While the Congress has sought greater disclosure and accountability, the BJP has maintained that political parties should substantiate their allegations and respect constitutional institutions.