Bengaluru - The Karnataka Congress, under the stern gaze of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, is enforcing a new order for its office bearers. Those failing to attend the party's ongoing conclave, a strategy session focused on the impending 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) of electoral rolls, risk losing their positions. The party leadership has framed this attendance as crucial for navigating what they perceive as a potentially contentious process.
The overarching directive signals a party-wide mobilization, prioritizing engagement with the SIR exercise, a process that has ignited concerns within Congress ranks about targeted voter deletions, particularly impacting Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and minority communities.
The conclave, which commenced on Sunday, May 24, 2026, is dedicated to strategizing the party's response to the SIR, scheduled to begin on June 20. This heightened focus comes as the final voters' list for Karnataka is slated for release on October 7. Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress chief, has reportedly tasked ministers with holding meetings on the SIR, underscoring the perceived gravity of the electoral roll revision.
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The party's apprehension regarding the SIR is palpable. Shivakumar has openly stated that the Congress is actively educating its leaders and workers about the revision process, a move framed as a protective measure. This comes amidst broader political undertones, where the SIR is seen by some as a tactic that could potentially shape electoral outcomes, leading to renewed friction between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Meanwhile, in a separate development, B.K. Hariprasad, a senior Congress leader and member of the Karnataka Legislative Council, publicly defended Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Hariprasad asserted that the party had appointed Siddaramaiah for a full five-year term, attempting to quell any burgeoning speculation regarding a potential leadership change within the state government.
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The political landscape in Karnataka has seen various activities. In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is set to visit New Delhi, a move viewed as politically significant following the formation of a coalition government. In Telangana, meteorological reports indicate that heatwave conditions are likely to persist for the next three days. Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport is also undergoing a symbolic transformation, with its new identity influenced by an airport employee's linguistic passion. Additionally, GITAM University has announced a scholarship-driven admission model for its Bengaluru campus for the 2026-27 academic year.
