Bengaluru, July 3 (IANS). Karnataka BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Friday accused the state government of misusing the Special Intensive Review (SIR) process of the Election Commission (EC). He claimed that instead of following the guidelines laid down by the Election Commission, the SIR process is being conducted from mosques at many places.
In a press conference held at Jagannath Bhawan, the BJP headquarters in Bengaluru, Vijayendra alleged that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were being misused.
He said, “BLOs are being misused in the SIR process. SIR work is being done by making officers sit inside mosques. The state government is conspiring against Hindus.”
The BJP leader also alleged that the BLOs in Sagar town of Shivamogga district were working to campaign in favor of the Congress instead of performing their official duties.
He said, “BLOs are being campaigned in Sagar in support of Congress. The Chief Minister should immediately intervene and improve the situation.”
Vijayendra said that BJP has filed a complaint with the Election Commission regarding alleged irregularities and confusion during the SIR process in some areas including Chamarajpet.
He said, “We have submitted a complaint to the Election Commission regarding irregularities in the SIR process in areas like Chamarajpet. The Commission is requested to immediately remove these irregularities.”
In response to a question on the delay in Karnataka cabinet expansion, Vijayendra alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivkumar is deliberately postponing cabinet expansion citing SIR process.
He said, “The Chief Minister knows that if the cabinet is expanded, the foundation of his government will be shaken. That is why he is using the SIR process as an excuse.”
Vijayendra also targeted the state government regarding law and order. He claimed that six people of the same family of Halumatha community were brutally assaulted in Naregal of Hangal taluk. Apart from this, Shivaji Rao, a member of a poor Maratha family, was beaten to death in broad daylight in Rattehalli of Hassan district.
He also alleged that a physiotherapist in Chikkaballapur was murdered after becoming a victim of so-called ‘love jihad’.
Criticizing the state government, Vijayendra alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s ‘soft Hindutva’ stance, Home Minister Priyank Kharge’s policies and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president B.K. Hariprasad’s alleged anti-Hindu statements are boosting the morale of communal elements.
It is noteworthy that the political conflict between the BJP and the ruling Congress government regarding the SIR process of the Election Commission in Karnataka is continuously intensifying. The BJP is alleging violation of guidelines and political interference in the process.
–IANS
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