Bidar, 2 October

The controversy over the alleged attempt to delete 3,244 voters from the electoral rolls in Bhalki Assembly constituency through Form-7 applications has taken a new turn, with two of the 32 accused claiming that their applications were submitted only for verification and correction of discrepancies, and not to cancel anyone's voting rights.

Pramod Birdar, a BJP Booth Level Agent (BLA) from Beeri village, clarified that the Form-7 application related to Nittur (B) village was filed only to correct a name discrepancy and not to delete anyone's vote. 

"One identity card mentioned the name as 'MD Salman', while another mentioned it as 'Salman', and the application was submitted to address the mismatch,” he told Salar News.  "We did not submit the application with the intention of deleting anyone's voting rights. When we were called for inquiry by the Tahsildar on Wednesday, we acknowledged the mistake and withdrew the application”.

Pandurang Sharanappa, a BJP BLA, told Salar News that he filed Form 7 applications to verify whether voters were residing there, and once he was convinced that they were, he withdrew the applications. “I had no wrong intention”.

Bhalki DySP Ballappa Nandgavi told Salar News that notices have been issued to the 32 accused to appear for questioning” on Friday and Saturday. 

The case was registered at Bhalki Town police station on the complaint of Mohammed Ateeq Ahmed, who alleged that 3,244 eligible voters, including himself, were targeted for deletion through false Form-7 objections citing 'shifted' and 'absent' reasons without documentary proof.