NDA delegation accuses Karnataka government of police interference in electoral roll revision; Kumaraswamy asks officials to ensure lawful action and protect Form-7 applicants
Bengaluru, Oct 2026 : Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday warned that the BJP and JD(S) would launch protests outside police stations across Karnataka if what they described as harassment of their workers and registration of false cases linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were not stopped.
Kumaraswamy issued the warning after an NDA delegation met Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukkumar and submitted a complaint alleging undue interference by the state government and misuse of official machinery in the SIR process. The delegation included senior BJP and JD(S) leaders.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy criticised the Congress government and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over the police cases allegedly registered against BJP and JD(S) workers in connection with Form-7 applications. He alleged that the police department was being used for political purposes and questioned the action taken against opposition workers.
“This is an unprecedented and shameful display by a Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers,” Kumaraswamy said, alleging that false cases were being registered against BJP and JD(S) workers.
The NDA delegation urged the Chief Electoral Officer to intervene and seek clarity from the Election Commission of India on the issue. The leaders alleged that individuals exercising their right to submit Form-7 objections were being subjected to unwarranted police action.
Form-7 is used by electors to object to the proposed inclusion or seek deletion of a name from the electoral roll. The NDA leaders maintained that submitting Form-7 applications, including multiple applications, was not by itself illegal and cited provisions of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
Kumaraswamy alleged that the state government was turning the SIR exercise into a political controversy to divert public attention from other issues, including the NICE project, Bidadi Township project and the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission scam.
He called upon the Inspector General of Police, Director General and Inspector General of Police and police commissioners to instruct officers under their jurisdiction to act strictly according to law.
“If the government does not issue proper directions to the authorities and this harassment continues, we will not remain silent. From 10 a.m. tomorrow, we will begin a protest outside police stations across the state,” Kumaraswamy warned.
He said senior police officers would be responsible for ensuring that their subordinates acted within the law and reiterated that the NDA would intensify its agitation if the alleged harassment continued.
The controversy has intensified as Karnataka’s SIR process enters a crucial stage. The Chief Electoral Officer has said that objections filed through Form-7 will be examined through the prescribed verification process. As of Monday, officials said no voter had been deleted solely on the basis of such objections.
The ruling Congress, however, has defended police action in cases involving allegations of false information in Form-7 applications. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said submitting false information through the form constitutes an offence, while the BJP and JD(S) have maintained that legitimate objectors should not face criminal action merely for filing objections.
Kumaraswamy said the BJP and JD(S) would continue to press for safeguards for their workers and called for the SIR process to be conducted strictly according to electoral law.
He reiterated that the IGP, DGP and commissioners must issue clear instructions to their subordinate officers and ensure that police action remains within the legal framework.
