D.K. Shivakumar Alleges Plot to Remove Poor Voters Through Electoral Roll Revision

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D.K. Shivakumar has accused authorities of attempting to remove economically weaker citizens from voter lists through the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar claimed there was a deliberate effort to target vulnerable sections of society during the voter verification process. He said party workers and local leaders have been instructed to stay alert and closely monitor the revision exercise at the grassroots level.

According to him, the Congress party has launched a large scale internal campaign to train legislators and Booth Level Agents on the procedures involved in the Special Intensive Revision process. He stressed that eligible voters must complete the required documentation within the notified deadlines to avoid losing their names from the electoral rolls.

Shivakumar warned that removal from the voter list could have consequences beyond elections. He said voter identity records are often linked with access to welfare schemes and government assistance programmes.

The Deputy Chief Minister pointed out that citizens who lose their voter status may also face difficulties in receiving benefits under social welfare initiatives, including pension schemes and the Gruha Lakshmi programme.

Referring to past elections in other states, Shivakumar alleged that similar voter deletion patterns had been used earlier to influence electoral outcomes. He said the Congress party considers the matter extremely serious and plans to intensify public awareness campaigns to protect the democratic rights of citizens.

He added that the party would continue monitoring the revision process closely to ensure that no eligible voter is unfairly excluded from the electoral system.