Vijayendra Hits Back at CM Shivakumar Over SIR Row, Says BJP Workers Won’t Fear FIR Threats

Karnataka BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra launched a scathing attack against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over the ongoing voter list Special Summary Revision (SIR) controversy, declaring that BJP workers will not be intimidated by threats of legal action or police FIRs. Challenging the ruling Congress government to either substantiate its allegations of voter fraud or resign, Vijayendra asserted that the opposition party has the strength, legal backing, and institutional resolve to fight any arbitrary cases filed against its cadre in court.

Political Clash Escalates Over Electoral Roll Revisions

The verbal duel between the ruling Congress administration and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka reached a new high following allegations surrounding electoral roll modifications during the state's Special Summary Revision (SIR) drive. Congress leadership had previously targeted the BJP, insinuating political interference and voter list tampering aimed at disenfranchising specific voter demographics.

Responding forcefully to these assertions, BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra rejected the claims as baseless politically motivated rhetoric designed to deflect from the state administration's governance failures. Addressing public gatherings and media briefings, Vijayendra emphasized that filing complaints or pointing out irregularities to the Election Commission of India (ECI) is a legitimate democratic process and not a criminal act.

"Even a Thousand FIRs Will Not Stop Us," Asserts Vijayendra

Directly addressing threats of police investigations and legal notices aimed at party functionaries, Vijayendra asserted that the Congress leadership misjudged the opposition's resolve. He reiterated that BJP ground workers are well-equipped to face state apparatus pressure, stating firmly that threats of law enforcement action would fail to silence democratic scrutiny.

"Threatening BJP workers or exerting political pressure through police machinery will yield nothing," Vijayendra stated. "Even if a thousand FIRs are registered against our leaders and booth-level representatives, there is no question of backing down out of fear. Every single arbitrary charge will be challenged transparently within the framework of the law and fought in court".

He further suggested that the Congress government was resorting to intimidation tactics because it lacked concrete evidence to back its allegations regarding the voter revision process.

Demands for Evidence or Immediate Resignation

Turning the focus onto the Congress top brass, Vijayendra challenged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar to produce verifiable proof regarding their claims before issuing public warnings or misusing administrative state powers. He noted that making sweeping statements without offering documented evidence to constitutional authorities damages democratic institutions.

The BJP leader demanded that if the ruling party cannot prove its conspiracy allegations regarding the electoral rolls, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister should publicly apologize or step down from their administrative roles. According to Vijayendra, the Congress party's anxiety stems from its declining popularity across urban and rural pockets, prompting its leadership to invent political controversies ahead of upcoming local body and institutional elections.

Opposition Vows Legal and Democratic Resistance

Underlining the BJP's organizational preparedness, Vijayendra highlighted that the party's legal wing and booth committee network have been instructed to maintain vigilance across all assembly segments. Rather than being deterred by political pushback, party workers have been directed to systematically document all electoral grievances and report irregularities directly to election authorities.

He also targeted the ruling party’s administrative record, claiming that public dissatisfaction with infrastructure management, regional governance, and fiscal administration had forced Congress leaders into a defensive posture. Vijayendra concluded by reiterating that the BJP would continue its role as a constructive and fearless opposition, ensuring that state machinery is not weaponized against political rivals while guaranteeing that every legitimate voter’s rights remain protected throughout the SIR exercise.