Bengaluru: Home minister G Parameshwara? No. Senior Congress leader and minister Priyank Kharge on Monday warned that those misusing Form-7 applications to seek deletion of eligible voters’ names from electoral rolls will face legal action.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge questioned how large quantities of pre-printed Form-7 applications containing voters’ names, addresses and EPIC numbers were being obtained and submitted during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
“If you misuse Form-7, possess large numbers of pre-printed forms, declare living people dead or genuine residents as non-residents, should we felicitate you?” Kharge asked.
He said violations of electoral rules and constitutional provisions could not be ignored, and those responsible would have to face the consequences.
Kharge alleged that a pattern was emerging indicating an alleged “electoral fraud” involving the BJP, JD(S) and the Election Commission, aimed at deleting nearly 60 lakh names from Karnataka’s electoral rolls.
Responding to questions about action against BJP leaders, former legislators, candidates, booth-level officers (BLOs) and others, Kharge said complaints were being pursued where members of the public were allegedly harassed or incorrect deletion requests were filed.
He claimed that in some cases, authorities in districts including Chikkamagaluru and Bidar had been approached to withdraw Form-7 applications after it emerged that living persons had been wrongly declared dead or residents had been shown as non-residents.
‘SIR has become Sangh Intensive Revision’
Kharge also alleged that Form-7 applications were being used to disproportionately target certain communities.
“Why are only Muslims, Christians and Dalits being targeted?” he asked, demanding an explanation from the BJP.
Taking a swipe at the process, Kharge said it was supposed to be a “Special Intensive Revision” but had turned into “Sangh Intensive Revision”.
On criticism of the Election Commission, Kharge said the poll panel was a constitutional institution and stressed that constitutional bodies could function effectively only when those holding responsible positions acted impartially.
He also accused the Chief Election Commissioner of having “sold his soul to the BJP”, intensifying the ongoing political confrontation over the SIR exercise in Karnataka.
