Karnataka minister accuses BJP of threatening voting rights through roll revision
Karnataka minister M.B. Patil has accused the BJP of undermining universal adult franchise through the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. He alleged that eligible voters’ names had been targeted and called for an investigation into the Election Commission, while citing withdrawn Form 7 objections in Vijayapura.
Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil has accused the BJP of undermining universal adult franchise through the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Speaking in Vijayapura on Monday, Patil said the revision threatened the constitutional principle of one person, one vote.
He alleged that eligible voters, including supporters of Opposition parties, had been removed or targeted. Patil said Congress leaders would oppose what he described as injustice and irregularities. He said there was no objection to removing names of deceased people, duplicate entries or those who had moved, but rejected what he called politically motivated action.
He accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of misusing the Election Commission and called for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Patil also sought a Supreme Court investigation. The minister alleged that staff linked to BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal’s office had submitted bulk objections under Form 7 in Vijayapura district.
He said objections were filed against 1,634 voters in Babaleshwar before being withdrawn. He further alleged that more than 5,000 objections were submitted in Vijayapura city on September 22 and another 8,000 the following day, also before being withdrawn. Patil named several staff members he said were involved.
The supplied report contains Patil’s allegations but no response from the BJP, the Election Commission or the individuals named.
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