BJP Demands Withdrawal of Cases Against Workers Over Voter List Objections
BJP President BY Vijayendra demands the withdrawal of police cases filed against party workers over voter list objections in Karnataka.
Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra has launched a fierce demand for the immediate withdrawal of criminal cases registered against party workers. These workers had submitted Form-7 applications during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a move the BJP defends as a legitimate legal process.
Allegations of Political Pressure
Leading a high-level BJP delegation in Bengaluru on Saturday, Vijayendra met with Karnataka Director General and Inspector General of Police M.A. Saleem. The delegation submitted a formal memorandum demanding that all complaints regarding Form-7 applications be handled strictly according to the law, without any political interference.
Vijayendra alleged that the police cases are being filed under intense political pressure. He specifically pointed toward protests led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and other ministers before the Election Commission regarding the alleged misuse of the Form-7 mechanism.
The Form-7 Dispute
The controversy centers on the Election Commission's Form-7, which is a prescribed mechanism for citizens to raise objections against names in the electoral roll. These objections are typically filed if a name is suspected to be ineligible, duplicated, or included in violation of electoral rules.
While the BJP maintains that submitting these applications is a fundamental part of the electoral-roll maintenance process, the Chief Minister has accused certain elements of using Form-7 to attempt the illegal deletion of eligible voters. Consequently, the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer has directed officials to take legal action against anyone found submitting knowingly false claims.
BJP Threatens Statewide Agitation
The BJP leadership has taken a hardline stance against the state government's actions. Vijayendra accused the current administration of using the police department for political purposes and criticized the Chief Minister's approach.
"The Chief Minister is trying to indulge in goondaism and dadagiri... But power does not belong to anyone's father's house. The misuse of power must stop," Vijayendra stated during the meeting.
The BJP has warned that they will not remain passive. If the cases against their workers are not withdrawn, the party has threatened to launch intense statewide agitations, including demonstrations held directly in front of police stations.
High-Profile Delegation Meets DGP
The meeting with the DGP-IGP was attended by a powerful contingent of BJP leaders, including:
- Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa
- Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka
- Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy
- Mahalakshmi Layout MLA K. Gopalaiah
- Various MPs, MLAs, and MLCs
As investigations continue into various reports of attempted voter deletions across Karnataka, the political tension between the BJP and the state government shows no signs of easing.