D.K. Shivakumar and other leaders stage a dharna at the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Bengaluru. Photograph supplied.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday staged a dharna on the premises of the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Bengaluru, demanding the registration of a criminal case and a probe into the alleged conspiracy to delete names of eligible voters using Form 7 applications.
Shivakumar, accompanied by several Cabinet colleagues and legislators, visited the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Gandhinagar and submitted a memorandum seeking action in the matter. He subsequently staged a protest on the steps of the office and said the agitation would continue until a criminal case was registered and a serious investigation ordered.
Ministers K.J. George, Muniyappa, Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Basavantappa, Byrathi Suresh, Shivaraj Tangadagi, Vijayanand Kashappanavar, Balakrishna, Rizwan Arshad, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, Ajay Singh, Shivalingegowda, Puttarangashetty and T. Raghumurthy were among those present. MP G.C. Chandrashekar and MLAs Konareddy, Kampli Ganesh, Bharath Reddy and others also participated in the protest.
Form 7 applications in Ballari and Vijayapura
Speaking to the media before the dharna, Shivakumar said the Election Commission was a constitutional body and that the government respected its authority.
“We have explained the irregularities taking place in the state. They have seen the evidence with their own eyes. BJP leaders have admitted their involvement and have asked that no action be taken against them and that the applications they submitted be returned,” he alleged.
Shivakumar claimed that around 13,000 Form 7 applications had been submitted in two Assembly constituencies in Ballari and were subsequently withdrawn. He also alleged that around 13,000 applications had been submitted in Vijayapura, excluding the Babaleshwar constituency, and later withdrawn with requests that no action be taken.
“We have submitted documents and videos relating to Mysuru, Belagavi and Bhalki constituencies. They have contacted senior officials. I will not disclose the details of those discussions. They have sought time until tomorrow,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the Election Commission had sought a report from the respective Deputy Commissioner.
“If they do not trust the evidence we have submitted, let them call for the report. Our struggle will not stop until a serious investigation is ordered,” he said.
Allegations of an attempt to deny voting rights
Alleging an attempt to deprive voters of their franchise, Shivakumar said those behind the alleged irregularities had committed a serious offence against the democratic process.
“They have attempted to steal the voting rights of electors. This is vote theft,” he said.
He further alleged that attempts had been made to delete voters’ names on a large scale in the constituencies represented by ministers.
“By doing this, they have stabbed the democratic system in the back. A question arises as to why the Congress party fought for the country’s independence and gave it the Constitution. Although the Election Commission has been given the freedom to take necessary action, they are now moving to seek advice from legal experts. Let them get the advice,” Shivakumar said.
“A Cabinet meeting was scheduled today for other matters. However, protecting the voting rights of the state’s voters is more important than anything else. This responsibility rests on me,” he added.
Shivakumar alleges wider network behind applications
Shivakumar said the state government had extended full cooperation to the Election Commission during the SIR process.
“Yet, such a conspiracy has been carried out by the BJP and Janata Dal,” he alleged.
Referring to the earlier controversy involving the Chilume organisation, Shivakumar said similar irregularities were now being alleged in connection with Form 7 applications.
“Earlier, they committed irregularities through the Chilume organisation. Now, when the people who submitted these Form 7 applications were questioned, they said they did not know about them and that these applications had come to them from BJP offices and leaders,” he alleged.
He further alleged that a larger network was behind the alleged irregularities and claimed that voter data, including EPIC numbers, had been accessed.
“We ourselves do not know the EPIC numbers of our family members, but these people have all the information through the EPIC numbers. A conspiracy was hatched to delete 10,000 to 20,000 votes across all 224 constituencies,” he alleged.
Protest to continue until action, says Chief Minister
Shivakumar said the issue had attracted attention across the country and reiterated that the protest would continue until the Election Commission initiated action.
“The entire country is watching this vote theft. We will not move from here until the Election Commission takes necessary action. Permission must be granted for the Deputy Commissioner to register a criminal case,” he said.
He added that some voters had already lodged FIRs and that those cases would be investigated according to law.
Related: Pralhad Joshi questions why police have not filed an FIR over the CEO-office dharna.
Background: DK Shivakumar seeks a probe into pre-printed Form 7 applications and the source of voter data.
Related: Kumaraswamy alleges Shivakumar’s SIR protest aims to divert attention from the NICE row.
Latest development: Karnataka CEO directs inquiry before action against applicants submitting knowingly false voter forms; read the full letter.
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