BJP Chief Slams DK Shivakumar Over SIR Row
Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra accuses CM DK Shivakumar of creating drama over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and controversial Mutt remarks.
The political temperature in Karnataka has soared following scathing remarks by the BJP State President, BY Vijayendra, who accused Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and the Congress government of "creating drama unnecessarily" regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Speaking to reporters in Tumakuru, Vijayendra launched a multi-pronged attack on the state leadership, addressing both the electoral revision controversy and the Chief Minister's recent comments concerning the Veeraprabhu Lingayath Mutt.
Clash Over Electoral Revision and Form 7
At the heart of the current friction is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The controversy erupted after Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, accompanied by six cabinet ministers, met with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to demand an investigation into what he described as an "alarming surge" of fraudulent Form 7 objections. The CM specifically highlighted a spike in these filings between September 22 and September 24, calling for immediate FIRs and criminal investigations.
However, Vijayendra dismissed these demands as political theatre. He suggested that the administration was attempting to exert undue pressure on political workers. "Regarding SIR, unnecessarily the Congress government and CM DK Shivakumar are creating drama," Vijayendra stated.
The BJP leader revealed that he had personally met with the Director General of Police to ensure that BJP Karyakartas are not unfairly targeted. He argued that any disputes regarding the submission of Form 7 should be handled strictly under the legal framework provided by the Representation of the People Act, 1950, rather than through police action.
"Power Has Gone To His Head"
The confrontation extended beyond electoral procedures into the realm of religious and social sentiments. Vijayendra took aim at the Chief Minister's recent remarks regarding the Veeraprabhu Lingayath Mutt, suggesting that the CM's conduct has become arrogant.
"Rather than commenting on what DK Shivakumar said regarding Veeraprabhu Lingayath Mutt, probably the CM's 'gaddi' has gone into his head, because of which he is uttering such words," Vijayendra remarked. He warned that the Chief Minister's attitude was being closely watched not just by the Lingayat community, but by all communities across the state.
"People will teach a lesson at the appropriate time," he added, signaling a looming political showdown.
Context of the Dispute
The tension follows a series of high-level meetings involving the state's top brass:
- The Congress Stance: CM Shivakumar has championed the Election Commission's directive for a special drive to enroll eligible voters, asserting that "every vote deserves to be heard" while simultaneously demanding a probe into mass fraudulent objections.
- The BJP Stance: The BJP views these demands for FIRs as a way to intimidate opposition workers and disrupt the democratic process of voter revision.
Vijayendra's comments were made during a visit to Junjappanahatti village in Gubbi Taluk, where he participated in a traditional Kolata stick dance performance with the local community.