New Delhi/Bengaluru, October 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday alleged that BJP leaders were involved in the “criminal” misuse of Form-7 applications to seek deletion of voters’ names from electoral rolls, saying he had records that would be handed over to the Congress high command and used to seek a detailed investigation.
Addressing the media in Delhi, Shivakumar claimed that some BJP leaders who recently met the Governor were themselves involved in the alleged irregularities. He displayed what he described as fake Form-7 applications and claimed that a full sack of such forms had been printed at a BJP headquarters.
“I have information and records. I will expose this and hand over all the information to the high command,” Shivakumar alleged, accusing BJP leaders of indulging in “utterly lowly criminal work without any shame”.
The Chief Minister questioned the Opposition’s demand against an investigation into the alleged misuse of Form-7 applications. He said resistance to a probe raised questions about the conduct of those opposing it.
“They fear that their names would come out and are demanding that no investigation is required. I will get the investigation done in this regard,” he said.
Shivakumar said poor villagers and illiterate people could not reasonably be expected to understand the complexities of Form-7 and the voter deletion process. He said his government had taken steps to ensure that homeless and vulnerable people were not excluded from electoral rolls.
“I have written to everyone that even the homeless and downtrodden are included and one month’s time is given to rectify their details and ensure their names are included,” he said.
He claimed that the alleged misuse began in Bengaluru and subsequently spread across Karnataka. He also criticised BJP leaders for approaching the Governor over cases registered in connection with the issue and questioned the Governor seeking explanations from government officials regarding cases filed against those allegedly involved.
“Is this not a crime? Is it not the duty of a Chief Minister to protect every vote of everyone?” Shivakumar asked, stressing that the government would protect the electoral rights of voters irrespective of their political affiliation, including BJP supporters whose names may have been wrongly deleted.
The Chief Minister alleged that attempts had been made to delete the names of more than one lakh voters and claimed that lakhs of Form-7 applications had been prepared systematically. He alleged that forms were printed at a BJP headquarters and provided to local BJP leaders with the names and addresses of minority, Dalit and backward-class voters.
According to Shivakumar, some local leaders subsequently used their identity cards and phone numbers while submitting the applications. He claimed that after the government became aware of the alleged irregularities and complaints were filed, some BJP leaders approached Booth Level Officers and withdrew applications that had already been submitted.
Displaying the forms, he questioned whether ordinary villagers could have prepared the computerised applications themselves. “All the forms are printed and computerised. Will the villager be able to fill in these forms? Only minority names are targeted,” he alleged.
Shivakumar also questioned Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and BJP leaders R. Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayaswamy, along with other NDA leaders, for approaching the Governor and seeking that cases and investigations in the matter not be pursued.
He claimed the alleged exercise would have been completed had authorities not intervened and said the Election Commission had taken note of the issue and directed states to conduct a special campaign.
“The criminal act was supposed to happen and we stopped it. The Election Commission was convinced and wrote to all states for a special campaign,” he said.
Shivakumar also praised Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for raising the issue, describing it as a matter concerning the country and not merely the Congress.
“Rahul Gandhi is doing a great job. It is not for himself and it is not for the Congress party. It is the country’s biggest conspiracy. The right to vote is the right to live,” he said.
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