Karnataka BJP's Vijayendra defends Form 7 complaints, counters CM Shivakumar
Synopsis
Karnataka's voter list dispute has turned into a full political flashpoint: BJP's Vijayendra is defending mass Form 7 filings as legitimate ECI complaints, while CM Shivakumar alleges they are a coordinated attempt to delete minority, SC, ST and OBC voters. With the SIR window still open and the Election Commission in the middle, the outcome could shape the credibility of Karnataka's next electoral rolls.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka BJP president B.Y.
Vijayendra on 1 October 2026 defended bulk Form 7 voter deletion applications during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Shivakumar had alleged the filings targeted minority, Backward Class , SC , and ST voters for deletion.
Vijayendra alleged that Muslim voters were being gathered at mosques in some areas to facilitate illegal additions to rolls — a claim not independently verified.
He also called for structural reforms in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) rather than shutting it down.
Vijayendra said he would not be deterred by the threat of an FIR over raising the voter list issue.
Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Thursday, 1 October 2026, pushed back against Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's allegation that BJP leaders were submitting Form 7 applications in bulk to get voters deleted from electoral rolls — specifically targeting minorities, Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. Vijayendra questioned why flagging alleged irregularities to the Election Commission of India (ECI) during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process was being treated as objectionable.
Vijayendra's Core Argument on Voter Roll Complaints
Defending the filing of Form 7 applications, Vijayendra said the final call on any deletion rests with the Election Commission, not the party making the complaint. 'What is wrong with requesting the Election Commission to remove names suspected to have been added illegally? If the names are genuine, the Commission will retain them. If they are illegal, they will be deleted. The final decision rests with the Election Commission,' he said.
He further alleged that BJP workers and members of other political parties had brought irregularities in multiple Assembly constituencies to the ECI's notice — citing what he described as media-reported incidents where Muslim voters were gathered at mosques in some areas, with officials allegedly facilitating illegal additions to the electoral rolls. The claims have not been independently verified.
Shivakumar's Original Charge
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had earlier alleged that BJP leaders were systematically using the Form 7 mechanism — which allows citizens to seek deletion of entries from voter lists — to target minority, Backward Class, Scheduled Caste, and Scheduled Tribe voters. The allegation framed the bulk filings as a coordinated effort to disenfranchise marginalised communities ahead of the SIR window closing. Vijayendra rejected that framing, countering that those raising concerns about alleged Bangladeshi immigrants in electoral rolls were conspicuously silent on that issue.
KPSC Controversy and Calls for Reform
Vijayendra also addressed a separate controversy surrounding the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), urging the state government to pursue structural reforms rather than shutting the body down. He said the examination system had been plagued by irregularities for several years, denying deserving candidates government employment. 'Closing down the KPSC will not solve the problem. The government must introduce reforms in the commission and the examination system, ensure transparency and take steps to provide employment opportunities to young people,' he said.
BJP Leader's Remarks on PM Modi
In a separate statement, Vijayendra referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public service record, describing him as someone who had worked as the country's 'Pradhan Sevak' — principal servant — rather than merely as Prime Minister. He said he had visited a temple and offered prayers to Lord Ganesha for Modi's long life. He also stated he would not be deterred by the threat of an FIR over raising the voter list issue.
What Happens Next
The dispute over Form 7 applications is set to intensify as the Special Intensive Revision window remains open and both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP escalate their respective claims before the Election Commission. Observers note that Karnataka has historically seen voter list disputes surface ahead of major local body and state elections, making the ECI's adjudication on contested entries critical to the credibility of the final rolls.
Point of View
Meanwhile, risks appearing defensive about legitimate scrutiny of electoral rolls. Neither side has presented verified data on how many challenged entries are genuine additions versus irregularities — and without that, the public debate will generate more heat than accountability.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Form 7 voter deletion controversy in Karnataka?
Form 7 is the statutory form used to request deletion of an entry from the electoral roll. Karnataka BJP leaders have filed bulk Form 7 applications during the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision process, which Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has alleged is a targeted effort to remove minority, Backward Class, SC, and ST voters. BJP's B.Y. Vijayendra has defended the filings as a legitimate exercise of the complaint mechanism.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process?
The Special Intensive Revision is a periodic exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to update and clean voter rolls, allowing citizens to add, correct, or delete entries. It is during this window that the contested Form 7 applications have been submitted in Karnataka.
What did Vijayendra allege about voter registrations at mosques?
Vijayendra alleged that in some areas, Muslim voters were gathered at mosques and officials were stationed there to facilitate illegal additions to electoral rolls. He said these incidents were reported by print and electronic media. The claims have not been independently verified.
What did Vijayendra say about the Karnataka Public Service Commission?
Vijayendra called for reforms in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) rather than its closure, arguing that irregularities in the examination system had denied deserving candidates government jobs for years. He urged the state government to ensure transparency and create genuine employment pathways for young people.
What happens to the contested voter entries?
The final decision on whether challenged names are retained or deleted rests with the Election Commission of India, not the party filing the Form 7 complaint. Vijayendra cited this as his key defence — arguing that a legitimate complaint does not guarantee deletion.
