Big fraud by BJP,JDS to delete 50 lakh voters: Karnataka CM on SIR

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday alleged that there were "conspiracies" going on to delete a large number of votes by individuals who are filing multiple applications to erase names from the electoral roll under the ongoing SIR in the state. He also called SIR a "big fraud." Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, he accused the BJP of involved in this conspiracy to delete "minorities, Dalits and ST voters" from the electoral roll. He claimed it was impossible that "illegal" vote deletion was happening without Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's knowledge. "A big conspiracy is underway in Karnataka, with many pre printed Form 7s being supplied to BJP and JD(S) leaders with the intention of deleting eligible voters," says CM D K Shivakumar,
Shivakumar said that BJP leaders and workers were submitting the forms at the direction of party leaders to seek the removal of names of minorities, poor people and Dalits from the electoral rolls. The chief minister said Congress leaders had handed over documents to him relating to cases in which Form 7 applications were filed fraudulently in their constituencies. “There is a need for a comprehensive investigation and a criminal investigation within the framework of law into this matter,” Shivakumar said. Shivakumar said the issue was not restricted to a handful of constituencies and cited Bhalki, represented by minister Eshwar Khandre, Mudigere, represented by Nayana Motamma, and Narasimharaja, represented by Tanveer Sait, among the constituencies where similar attempts had been reported. Already, more than 50 lakh voters have disappeared from this list, he said,

VIDEO | Karnataka: "A big conspiracy is underway in Karnataka, with many pre printed Form 7s being supplied to BJP and JD(S) leaders with the intention of deleting eligible voters," says CM D K Shivakumar, flagging issues with SIR in the state.

(Full video available on PTI… pic.twitter.com/dHIc2zKyHU

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 1, 2026

Under the SIR exercise, 1.08 crore of Karnataka’s 5.54 crore voters had been categorised in the ‘Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate and Others’ list, while notices over discrepancies had been issued to 43.81 lakh voters in the draft rolls, according to earlier reporting. The controversy over Form 7 has intensified in recent days. Data released by the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer showed a discrepancy between the number of Form 7 applications reflected in the draft electoral roll and a later set of figures shared by the office, prompting officials to say the numbers needed verification. The Form 7 controversy has surfaced as Karnataka’s SIR enters its claims-and-objections stage. 

(State Correspondent)