Karnataka Government Scrutinized Over Voter‑Roll Revision and Footpath Encroachment Drive

The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress‑led state government of hindering the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The month‑long door‑to‑door verification, begun with more than 59,000 Booth Level Officers, is alleged to face shortages of staff and the appointment of party functionaries instead of government employees. Opposition leaders R. Ashoka and former deputy chief minister C. N. Ashwath Narayan said the exercise aims to remove duplicate and illegal entries, citing claims of large numbers of undocumented Bangladeshis in the state.

Separately, Karnataka Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda ordered a comprehensive plan to clear footpath encroachments across five urban corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority. Commencing on July 1, the operation will follow a Supreme Court order and the Street Vendors’ Protection Act, with steps to list affected roads, issue notices, and coordinate municipal, health, police and clearance teams to ensure safe pedestrian movement and repair damaged infrastructure.