K’taka CM to lead Cong legislators to Delhi for stir against SIR

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced on Sunday that all Congress legislators would journey to Delhi to protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He claimed that 10 million voters had been removed from the Karnataka lists without proper verification. In Mysuru, Shivakumar instructed Congress legislators to be in Delhi, stating that the party would campaign independently rather than join a protest organized by other groups.

He emphasized that the Congress intended to protect voters' rights and ensure every citizen's right to vote. Shivakumar expressed concern about the restrictions imposed during the protest, including an internet shutdown and the detention of individuals upon arrival by plane, suggesting these actions undermined democratic freedoms.

He asked the Prime Minister whether there was democracy or an emergency in the country. The Chief Minister urged leaders to face public criticism instead of preventing citizens from expressing their views. He encouraged protesters to engage with the Election Commission and leaders, emphasizing that no one could silence their voice in a democracy.

Shivakumar differentiated the Congress's plans from the protest organizers, noting that the party had not been consulted about the demonstration. He acknowledged that some members of the INDIA bloc would participate in the protest, but refrained from interfering in their plans.