Karnataka CM alleges BJP, JDS plot to delete millions of voters

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday leveled serious accusations against the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular), claiming the two parties were working in concert to delete a substantial number of voters from the state's electoral rolls. Shivakumar alleged that between 5 and 6 million voters faced potential removal in what he characterized as a coordinated political maneuver.

The Congress leader's allegations underscore the intensifying political rivalry in Karnataka, where the state assembly elections are a significant battleground for national politics. Shivakumar has positioned the alleged voter deletion scheme as part of a larger strategy to undermine the ruling Congress government's electoral prospects.

The chief minister's claims have not been independently verified. Election authorities in Karnataka have not issued statements confirming or denying allegations of systematic voter deletion. The charges reflect broader concerns across Indian states about the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls, a recurring issue that election commissions have grappled with during voter registration drives.

The BJP and JDS have yet to publicly respond to Shivakumar's assertions. The controversy adds another layer to Karnataka's volatile political landscape, where alliances and accusations have frequently shaped the state's governance narrative in recent years.