States » SouthPosted at: Oct 6 2026 1:09PM


Shivakumar backs Rahul's SIR fight, says no force can silence his voice

Bengaluru, Oct 6 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday mounted a strong defence of Rahul Gandhi's campaign against alleged “vote theft”, saying neither arrest nor pressure could silence the Congress leader as the Opposition intensified its attack on the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Speaking to reporters here, Shivakumar said Rahul Gandhi was fighting for the people and the electorate and would not be deterred by attempts to stop his campaign.
“Let them stop him. Let them arrest him. Rahul Gandhi will not care because he is fighting for the cause of the people and the electorate of this country,” he said.
Shivakumar said the Congress was gathering documentary evidence of alleged electoral irregularities from several constituencies and would pursue the matter with the Election Commission and other competent authorities.
He alleged that instances involving electoral forms and deletion of voters' names had surfaced in Mahadevapura and several other constituencies, and said those responsible would have to explain how the forms were obtained and used.
“If the workers have given the forms, they have to tell who gave them. That also has to be investigated,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the Congress's concern was not confined to its own supporters and that every eligible voter, including those backing rival parties, had to be protected.
“It is my bounden duty to protect even their voters. We don't want to misuse any vote. No name should be deleted,” he said.
Shivakumar said the Election Commission had directed Electoral Registration Officers and taluk-level officials to follow due procedure and verify details before deleting names from the electoral rolls.
He said voters whose names had been deleted could, where applicable, seek inclusion through Form 6, while the old electoral rolls also needed to be examined.
Defending Rahul Gandhi's campaign, Shivakumar said the SIR issue concerned the democratic right of citizens to vote.
“As Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi has a bounden duty to do his job. He is doing his job. There is nothing wrong in it,” he said.
“They cannot stop his voice, and they cannot stop my voice either,” Shivakumar added.
Shivakumar said the Karnataka government had been cooperating with the Election Commission and had sought clarifications on the SIR process, though the Congress was not satisfied with all aspects of the exercise.
“We have to protect all sections of society. Everyone should be allowed to have their vote,” he said.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Shivakumar backs Rahul's SIR fight# says no force can silence his voice
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