Bengaluru, November 2, 2025 – Tensions are escalating in Karnataka's political arena as the Congress party has leveled serious accusations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly tampering with voter lists ahead of the crucial Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections scheduled for early December. The controversy, which erupted late Friday, has drawn sharp rebukes from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has promised "iron-clad oversight" to ensure free and fair polls.
The Accusations Unfold
The row ignited when Congress spokesperson and former BBMP corporator, N. Cheluvarayaswamy, held a press conference at the party's Indiranagar office, brandishing stacks of documents purportedly showing discrepancies in the electoral rolls for key wards like Rajajinagar and Yeshwanthpur. "The BJP, desperate to reclaim Bengaluru after their 2023 rout, is playing dirty by inflating bogus voter entries and deleting names of loyal Congress supporters," Cheluvarayaswamy alleged. He claimed that over 15,000 suspicious additions—mostly from migrant worker databases—had been snuck into the lists without proper verification, potentially swaying outcomes in at least 20 contested zones.
Supporting evidence included affidavits from local residents in Mahadevapura ward, where voters reported receiving duplicate ID cards with mismatched addresses. Congress leaders, including Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, amplified the claims on social media, with Shivakumar posting on X (formerly Twitter): "BJP's old tricks won't work this time. Bengaluru's people know who's fighting for clean air, not communal airwaves. #SaveBBMPDemocracy."
The BJP swiftly dismissed the allegations as "pre-poll desperation tactics" by a "failing Congress regime." State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra countered during a rally in Malleswaram, accusing the ruling party of "witch-hunting" to distract from its own governance failures, such as the ongoing water crisis and pothole-plagued roads. "These are baseless smears from a party that's lost touch with the ground. Our volunteers are the ones helping voters update lists legally—Congress is just jealous," Vijayendra said, flanked by BBMP opposition leader N.R. Ramesh.
Siddaramaiah's Vow: Strict Oversight and Swift Action
In a televised address from Vidhana Soudha late evening, CM Siddaramaiah didn't mince words. "Any attempt to undermine democracy will be crushed under the weight of the law. I've directed the Election Commission and state vigilance teams to conduct a full audit of BBMP rolls by November 10. No stone will be left unturned," he declared, his voice steady but laced with the fire of a veteran politician who's navigated multiple electoral battles.
Siddaramaiah announced immediate measures:
Formation of a special task force led by IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri to cross-verify voter data using Aadhaar linkages.
24/7 helplines for citizens to report anomalies, with promises of expedited FIRs under the Representation of the People Act.
Collaboration with civil society groups like the Citizens for Bengaluru to monitor polling stations.
The CM also took a swipe at the Centre, hinting at BJP's national influence: "If Delhi thinks it can puppeteer local polls, they're mistaken. Karnataka's mandate is with the people, not puppeteers."
Broader Context: Stakes High for BBMP 2025
The BBMP elections, overseeing a metropolis of 1.4 crore people and a ₹12,000 crore annual budget, are a litmus test for both parties ahead of the 2028 assembly polls. Congress, riding high on its 2023 state victory, aims to consolidate urban support by pushing initiatives like the ₹5,000 crore 'Namma Bengaluru Green Plan' for lake rejuvenation and waste management. The BJP, however, eyes a comeback by capitalizing on anti-incumbency over traffic woes and the recent Infosys layoffs impacting the IT hub's sentiment.
Analysts predict a razor-thin contest: Congress holds 105 of 243 wards currently, but BJP's alliances with independents could tip the scales. "Voter tampering claims, if proven, could lead to court stays and erode BJP's credibility. But if debunked, it hands them a moral high ground," noted political commentator S. Rajagopal.
Reactions from the Ground and Beyond
On Bengaluru's streets, the buzz is palpable. Auto drivers in Majestic and techies in Whitefield expressed mixed views—many skeptical of both parties but wary of disenfranchisement. "I've voted here for 20 years; don't want my name vanishing because of some neta's game," said Rajesh Kumar, a software engineer.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has stepped in cautiously, issuing a statement urging "all stakeholders to maintain restraint" and promising a "neutral probe." Meanwhile, JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda, whose party is in alliance talks with Congress, weighed in with a call for "judicial intervention" to prevent "Karnataka from becoming another Maharashtra poll farce."
As the city braces for what could be its most contentious civic polls in a decade, all eyes are on the audit's findings. Will this be a flash in the pan or the spark that ignites a larger democratic showdown? Only time—and perhaps a few more affidavits—will tell.
This report is based on on-ground reporting and official statements as of November 2, 2025. Updates will follow as the story develops.
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