States » SouthPosted at: Oct 2 2026 3:14PM


Karnataka SIR: Shivakumar, Vijayendra spar over bulk Form-7 applications

Bengaluru, Oct 2 (UNI) The political battle over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka intensified on Friday, with Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and BJP state president Vijayendra Yediyurappa trading charges over alleged misuse of Form-7 applications to delete names from the voters' list.
The fresh confrontation came a day after Shivakumar, along with Cabinet colleagues, staged a dharna at the Chief Electoral Officer's office demanding action over alleged bulk filing of Form-7 applications. The CEO subsequently directed electoral officials across Karnataka to verify complaints and initiate legal action against those found knowingly submitting false claims or objections.
Vijayendra on Friday dismissed Shivakumar's protest as a "sham drama" and questioned the Chief Minister's allegation that the BJP was attempting to target minority, Dalit and Backward Class voters through Form-7 applications.
He claimed that about 24,000-25,000 Form-7 applications had been filed across constituencies, but maintained that they were not submitted exclusively by BJP workers. According to him, Congress booth-level agents, members of other political parties and social activists had also filed such applications.
Vijayendra questioned how a political party could directly delete names from electoral rolls, pointing out that applications submitted under Form-7 have to be examined by election officials, including Booth Level Officers and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers.
He challenged Shivakumar to substantiate his allegation that the BJP was attempting to remove 5,000 to 10,000 voters from every Assembly constituency, particularly from minority, Dalit and OBC communities.
The BJP state president, meanwhile, levelled counter-allegations of irregularities in the electoral rolls, pointing to Mysuru's Narasimharaja Assembly constituency, where he claimed the number of voters had risen by about 1.30 lakh over the last two elections.
He also alleged irregularities in areas such as Bengaluru's Shantinagar and Shivajinagar, Kalaburagi South and parts of Dakshina Kannada, particularly in constituencies with large minority populations.
Vijayendra further claimed that BJP Minority Morcha president Anil Thomas had identified instances of people from other constituencies and states participating in the SIR process and alleged that some names figured in multiple constituencies.
Shivakumar hit back, saying the BJP's own statements were exposing what he described as its "strategy, conspiracy and plans".
Responding to Vijayendra's reference to around 24,000 Form-7 applications, the Chief Minister said the figure itself required investigation.
"I don't know whether it is completely true or false. At least one part is true," Shivakumar said, adding that if 24,000 applications had been submitted collectively by three parties, "there is clearly some thinking behind this".
He said he was prepared to take up Vijayendra's challenge and remarked, "Let's take the challenge to its logical conclusion."
Shivakumar alleged that attempts were being made to remove the votes of minorities, poor people and Dalits through the process and demanded action against those who had acknowledged submitting the forms.
Form-7 is the prescribed mechanism for raising an objection to the inclusion of a name in the electoral roll or seeking deletion, including on grounds such as death, shifting of residence or duplicate entries.
The controversy has now moved beyond political accusations, with the CEO directing officials to examine complaints and act against applicants found to have knowingly made false statements or declarations.
The competing claims are expected to be tested through constituency-level verification of the applications and supporting documents as the SIR exercise progresses.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Karnataka SIR: Shivakumar# Vijayendra spar over bulk Form-7 applications
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