Karnataka HM Priyank Kharge Accuses Centre of Using Agencies, Sting Operations to Target Govt

Kharge said these methods were part of what he described as the BJP's standard political strategy and alleged that the Centre was trying to dislodge the Karnataka government.

The issue of possible sting operations targeting Congress ministers gained prominence after Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed concern during a Cabinet meeting that BJP and JD(S) leaders could attempt to target ministers through such operations.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge alleged that similar tactics had been used against Congress governments in Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra and Goa. At the same time, he asserted that neither he nor his colleagues had engaged in any wrongdoing.

Asked whether Congress leaders, MLAs and ministers were apprehensive about being targeted, Kharge said he believed the alleged attempts were linked to the Centre's desire to weaken the Karnataka government.

On the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged misuse of Form-7 applications, Kharge said demands for accountability had extended beyond the Congress and were being raised by people in different parts of the country.

He alleged that BJP leaders were filing false Form-7 applications seeking deletion of voters' names by falsely declaring living individuals to be dead. He said some affected people had approached authorities to establish that they were alive and demanded action against those allegedly responsible.

Kharge also referred to reports of displacement notices being issued to BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh, saying the developments showed that concerns surrounding the SIR exercise had also reached political leaders and public representatives.

He alleged that the revision process was being used to protect the ruling establishment at the Centre and called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Questioning Kumar's absence from public briefings on the controversy, Kharge asked why the Chief Election Commissioner was not directly addressing questions surrounding the electoral roll revision. He said Kumar had previously held press conferences to criticise the Congress and should now respond to concerns raised over the SIR process.

Kharge also questioned how pre-printed Form-7 applications containing voters' names, EPIC numbers, addresses and stated reasons for deletion were being generated across the country. He argued that the level of detail in such forms indicated access to machine-readable electoral rolls and questioned how political leaders and party workers were obtaining the information when even booth-level functionaries faced difficulties examining voter lists.

He further pointed out that individuals submitting Form-7 applications are required to declare that the information provided is accurate and can face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine if the declaration is found to be false. Kharge demanded accountability in cases where incorrect information was allegedly used to seek deletion of voters.

Responding to BJP allegations that the Congress was spreading misinformation, Kharge questioned why the party was defending the Election Commission instead of allowing the poll body to directly respond to the allegations.

He called on Gyanesh Kumar to hold an open press conference and answer questions regarding the electoral revision exercise.

Kharge also criticised Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy over allegations made against him and urged the former Karnataka Chief Minister to exercise restraint while making public statements. He said Kumaraswamy should maintain the dignity associated with his positions and provide evidence for his claims.

On arrests related to an alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission recruitment scam, Kharge said he expected the investigation to reveal the involvement of the commission's chairman and some BJP leaders. He reiterated that his earlier allegations against BJP leaders were based on documents and evidence.

Kharge said he had not raised issues over the past decade without supporting material and challenged the BJP to compare the allegations it had made against him with the claims he had raised against the Opposition.

He also dismissed repeated BJP assertions that his political career would suffer, saying the Opposition had made similar predictions in the past while subsequently facing its own setbacks.

On a proposed protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Bengaluru, Kharge said he was not a spokesperson for the organisers and that citizens were free to hold protests. As Home Minister, he said his responsibility was to ensure that peaceful demonstrations could take place in a conducive environment and in accordance with the Constitution.

He added that those planning to protest could submit the required application and would be provided the necessary security arrangements.