BJP sought scrutiny not deletion of voters: Karnataka MLA

BJP leaders in Belagavi stated that they had not violated any rule when they submitted third-party objections using Form 7 during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Karnataka, being carried out by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

“We believe that we have not violated any rule. However, if during scrutiny of our applications, officials conclude that we have made any mistake, let them reject our applications,” Abhay Patil, MLA and BJP leader, told reporters on October 2.

He denied allegations that BJP’s Booth Level Agents had violated rules regarding submission of third-party objections to inclusion of names.

“Congress leaders are accusing us of targeting Muslim voters. That is false. We have not targetted anyone. Our ground-level workers have noticed every suspect voter, and reported them to the respective BLAs. They have objected to the inclusion of dead, shifted, absent, duplicate and other suspect voters,” Mr. Patil said.

He alleged that a large number of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas in Belagavi were illegally included as voters at the instance of local Congress leaders. “We demand that such ineligible electors be weeded out. We are compiling a list of such voters in the district. We will release it soon,“ he said.

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