Bengaluru, July 9 (IANS) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday questioned the State Chief Electoral Officer’s assertion that there had been no large-scale irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy said he had noted the Chief Electoral Officer’s statement that the electoral roll revision had not been carried out in groups.

The Union Minister said he, along with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, had submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission, accompanied by documentary evidence, alleging irregularities in the SIR exercise.

“We have submitted documentary evidence showing that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was carried out in groups in several places, including Ramanagara and Yeshwanthpur. If the SIR process was conducted properly, why were notices issued to 35 Booth Level Officers (BLOs)?” Kumaraswamy questioned.

He alleged that the documents submitted by the BJP delegation substantiated its claims of irregularities in the electoral roll revision process and sought an explanation for the action taken against the officials, given that the exercise had been conducted in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.

It can be noted that Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V. Anbu Kumar on Wednesday (July 8) rejected allegations of irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting that the exercise is being carried out strictly in accordance with the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) guidelines.

Kumaraswamy declined to comment on Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s reported decision to cancel several tenders awarded during the tenure of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and issue fresh tenders, saying he would reveal details at an appropriate time.

“I will not speak about this today. Let the right time come, and I will disclose everything,” Kumaraswamy told reporters.

“I have information about this. This is not the right course of action. I do not know why these tenders are being cancelled. I will speak about it in detail very soon,” he said.

Responding to a question about his political future in Karnataka, Kumaraswamy said he would return to active state politics, but not immediately.

On the proposed by-election to the Hiriyur Assembly constituency, Kumaraswamy said there was growing pressure within the Janata Dal (Secular) to field its own candidate.

Kumaraswamy also took a swipe at Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over the latter’s announcement that the government would allocate Rs 1.5 lakh crore for Bengaluru’s development.

“They claim to have created a Guinness World Record by planting 1.5 million saplings. But after planting them, they are merely pouring water from small pots. They even brought paddy planters to plant the saplings just to create a Guinness record,” he remarked.

–IANS

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