Mangaluru: Former minister and BJP MLC C.T. Ravi has accused the Congress of pursuing opportunistic politics and criticised the party’s objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting that the exercise is a constitutional process carried out through a decentralised administrative mechanism.
Addressing a press conference in Mangaluru on October 27, Ravi alleged that the Congress operated with what he described as a “hardware jihadi” approach and a “software Urban Naxal” mindset. His remarks came amid the political debate surrounding the electoral roll revision exercise.
Ravi defended the SIR process, stating that it had been conducted eight times in the country. He argued that the exercise followed constitutional procedures and involved election officials working across different levels of the electoral administration.
He also announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would launch a nationwide campaign from November 1 to 30 under the theme ‘Save Democracy, End Anarchy, Protect the Constitution’.
Ravi defends SIR as constitutional process
Explaining the functioning of the SIR exercise, Ravi said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar issued the notification for the revision, while the bulk of the work was carried out by more than 11 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) across the country.
He emphasised that the revision was not handled by a single authority but involved a large network of election personnel responsible for implementing the process at the grassroots level.
According to Ravi, allegations questioning the integrity of the SIR exercise also cast doubt on the work of these officials, who undertake the verification and updating of electoral rolls.
He maintained that the process was decentralised and constitutionally grounded, arguing that the participation of a large number of election personnel was central to its implementation.
The SIR exercise has become a subject of political debate, with parties expressing differing views on its procedures and implications. Ravi rejected the criticism directed at the process and defended the role of election officials in carrying out their responsibilities.
Cites remarks by leaders from Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Ravi also referred to statements attributed to Congress leaders in Kerala, including Ramesh Chennithala and V.D. Satheesan, as well as the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu.
He said these leaders and the party had expressed appreciation for the SIR process, arguing that their positions contrasted with the objections raised by some Congress leaders elsewhere.
Using these examples, Ravi questioned the basis of the criticism against the revision exercise and claimed that the allegations lacked substance.
He asserted that political arguments against the process should be examined in light of the procedures followed by election authorities and the responsibilities assigned to officials on the ground.
“Falsehood spreads quickly, while the truth takes time to reach the public but ultimately prevails,” Ravi said.
His remarks reflected the BJP’s defence of the electoral roll revision exercise and its criticism of opposition parties questioning the process.
The comments were made as part of a broader political argument over electoral administration, the role of constitutional institutions and the conduct of political parties.
BJP announces month-long nationwide campaign
During the press conference, Ravi announced that the BJP would organise a nationwide campaign from November 1 to 30 under the slogan ‘Save Democracy, End Anarchy, Protect the Constitution’.
He said the campaign would seek to mobilise people and create awareness through a series of public outreach programmes across the country.
The proposed activities include foot marches, rallies, interactions with students and conferences involving intellectuals.
According to Ravi, the campaign would provide opportunities for the party to engage with different sections of society and communicate its position on issues concerning democracy and the Constitution.
The planned student interactions and intellectual conferences are intended to broaden the campaign’s outreach beyond conventional political rallies, while foot marches and public meetings would provide platforms for direct engagement with citizens.
The month-long programme is scheduled to begin on November 1 and conclude on November 30. Further details about specific events, locations and participation arrangements were not provided in the information available from the press conference.
Political debate over electoral roll revision continues
Ravi’s remarks add to the ongoing political debate surrounding the SIR exercise and the responsibilities of election authorities in maintaining electoral rolls.
While the BJP leader defended the revision as a constitutional process and criticised the Congress for questioning it, his comments also included sharp political allegations against the opposition party.
The discussion has highlighted differing positions among political parties on the revision process and the way its implementation should be assessed.
Ravi maintained that the involvement of more than 11 lakh BLOs demonstrated the scale of the administrative exercise. He argued that criticism of the process should take into account the work carried out by these officials rather than being directed solely at the Election Commission’s leadership.
The BJP’s proposed nationwide campaign will now take the party’s message to public meetings, rallies, educational interactions and conferences during November.
The campaign’s stated theme places democracy, anarchy and constitutional protection at the centre of its outreach. Its progress and the responses from opposition parties are likely to remain part of the wider political discussion surrounding electoral administration.