Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Karnataka Leaders Clash Over Alleged Mass Voter Deletions
Karnataka’s leaders are arguing about whether people’s names were wrongly removed from voter lists.
D.K. Shivakumar says the BJP may have used Form-7 applications to target some groups.
B.Y. Vijayendra says Shivakumar must show proof or resign.
Vijayendra also says Form-7 is a legal way to ask officials to check names.
Filing the form does not automatically remove anyone from the voter list.
Election officials must investigate and make the final decision.
The BJP says some places may also have received too many new voter registrations.
Officials have been told to act against people who knowingly submit false information.
B.Y. Vijayendra challenged D.K. Shivakumar to provide documentary evidence for alleging a BJP conspiracy to delete around 50 lakh voters.
Vijayendra said Form-7 is a lawful objection mechanism and that only election authorities can approve voter deletions after verification and inquiry.
Shivakumar accused the BJP of trying to remove minority, Dalit and poor voters, and demanded action over alleged bulk Form-7 submissions.
The two leaders disputed the significance of roughly 24,000-25,000 Form-7 applications reportedly submitted by political parties and social groups.
The BJP sought verification of an alleged 1.30 lakh increase in voters in Mysuru’s Narasimharaja constituency, while electoral officials ordered action over knowingly false claims.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra are the main figures; electoral officials are responsible for checking the claims.
- What
- The leaders are disputing allegations that Form-7 applications were used in a conspiracy to delete around 50 lakh voters and are accusing each other of electoral-roll irregularities.
- When
- The dispute intensified on Friday after Shivakumar and Cabinet colleagues protested on Thursday; no calendar date was provided.
- Where
- The protest took place at the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Bengaluru, while the BJP also raised concerns about Mysuru’s Narasimharaja Assembly constituency and other areas.
- Why
- The dispute concerns alleged mass deletions, possible improper additions to electoral rolls, and whether Form-7 objections were lawfully submitted and properly verified.
Shivakumar’s Allegations
Vijayendra’s BJP Response
Mass voter deletions
Shivakumar’s Allegations
Shivakumar alleges that the BJP is using the Form-7 process to remove minority, Dalit, poor and backward-class voters and says the reported submissions are evidence requiring investigation.
Vijayendra’s BJP Response
Vijayendra denies that the BJP can directly delete names and challenges Shivakumar to produce documents proving a conspiracy involving around 50 lakh voters.
Meaning of Form-7 submissions
Shivakumar’s Allegations
Shivakumar says reported submissions by political parties show that the issue deserves examination and demands action against those who acknowledged filing the forms.
Vijayendra’s BJP Response
Vijayendra says Form-7 is a lawful Election Commission mechanism available to parties, officials and members of the public, and that filing it does not itself remove a name.
Electoral-roll irregularities
Shivakumar’s Allegations
Shivakumar says the BJP’s actions and alleged plans are being exposed and claims the process is being used to influence elections.
Vijayendra’s BJP Response
Vijayendra alleges that Congress-linked actors facilitated illegal additions, including in areas with large minority populations, and seeks verification of the reported voter increase in Narasimharaja and other constituencies.
- Alleged voter deletions
- Shivakumar alleged that around 50 lakh voters could be removed, including minority, Dalit and backward-class voters.
- BJP demand
- Vijayendra challenged Shivakumar to provide documentary evidence or resign as Chief Minister.
- Form-7 applications
- Vijayendra cited roughly 24,000-25,000 applications from different political parties and social groups; Shivakumar said the figure required examination.
- Form-7 function
- The form allows objections concerning allegedly deceased, duplicate, shifted or otherwise ineligible voters.
- Decision authority
- Election officials, including relevant electoral-registration authorities, decide objections after verification and inquiry.
- Narasimharaja increase
- The BJP cited an increase of around 1.30 lakh voters over the last two elections and requested verification.
- Official direction
- Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar directed officials to verify complaints and act against applicants knowingly making false declarations.
