6 hrs ago
Yediyurappa Threatens Statewide Protests Over Form-7 FIRs
Political leaders in Karnataka disagree about forms asking for names to be removed from voter lists.
The forms, called Form-7, were submitted in bulk during a review of the electoral rolls.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar says some applications may have targeted eligible voters, including people from several communities.
BJP leaders say their workers should not be harassed or face police cases simply for submitting objections.
B.S. Yediyurappa says the BJP may hold protests across the state if police action continues.
B.Y. Vijayendra says the party will also challenge the matter in court and may hold street protests.
BJP leaders say election officials should decide whether each application is valid.
Police have registered several cases over alleged irregularities in the applications.
B.S. Yediyurappa warned of statewide protests if police action against BJP workers over Form-7 applications continues.
BJP leaders submitted a memorandum to Karnataka police chief M.A. Saleem, seeking withdrawal of FIRs or lawful handling of related cases.
B.Y. Vijayendra said the BJP would fight the matter legally and could stage street protests or besiege police stations if FIRs continued.
The dispute concerns bulk Form-7 objections filed during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls; the form is used to request deletion of a name.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has alleged that bulk applications sought to delete eligible voters, particularly from minority communities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
- Who
- B.S. Yediyurappa and B.Y. Vijayendra of the BJP, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Karnataka police.
- What
- BJP leaders warned of protests and legal action over police cases and alleged harassment related to Form-7 applications.
- Where
- Karnataka, including Bengaluru.
- When
- The report is dated October 3; it also refers to Shivakumar's protest on Thursday. The year is not specified.
- Why
- The dispute concerns police cases over alleged irregularities in bulk Form-7 applications and competing claims about attempted voter deletions.
BJP leaders' position
Shivakumar's allegations
Whether the bulk applications were improper
BJP leaders' position
Yediyurappa and Vijayendra say Form-7 is a legitimate process and election officials should accept or reject applications based on their merits.
Shivakumar's allegations
Shivakumar alleges that bulk, pre-filled applications were part of a conspiracy to delete eligible voters, particularly from minority communities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
Police action against BJP workers
BJP leaders' position
BJP leaders say workers should not be harassed or face FIRs under government pressure, and that any action must follow the law.
Shivakumar's allegations
Shivakumar demanded a criminal case and investigation into the alleged voter-deletion effort; the reports do not provide his direct response to the BJP's objections to the police cases.
Key facts
- Form-7
- An Election Commission of India form used to request deletion of a name from the electoral roll.
- Electoral process
- The applications were filed during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- BJP request
- BJP leaders asked police chief M.A. Saleem to withdraw FIRs or handle cases according to law.
- Yediyurappa's warning
- He warned of statewide protests if police action or harassment of BJP workers continued.
- Vijayendra's warning
- He said the BJP would pursue legal action and could protest in the streets or besiege police stations if FIRs continued.
- Shivakumar's allegation
- He alleged that bulk, pre-filled Form-7 objections sought to remove eligible voters, including members of minority communities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
- Police cases
- Police have registered several cases concerning alleged irregularities in the applications.
Quotes
B.S. Yediyurappa
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader
“Listening to the words of the Chief Minister, you are making false allegations and harassing our party workers. This simply cannot be tolerated. This must stop right here, today. If not, we are ready to stage protests across the entire state.”
thehansindia.com
“We will fight this legally. If we have to take to the streets and launch a political protest, we are ready for that too. If the registration of FIRs continues in this manner, we will also lay siege to police stations.”
theprint.in
Sources
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