NDA turns up heat on Cong govt, seeks Guv's intervention over Form-7 FIRs

Bengaluru, Oct 6 (UNI) The political battle between the ruling Congress and the BJP-JDS combine over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls intensified on Tuesday, with NDA leaders accusing the state government of misusing police machinery to target BJP workers over Form-7 applications.

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, BJP state president Vijayendra Yediyurappa and other BJP-JDS leaders met Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot and submitted a memorandum, demanding immediate intervention into the registration of FIRs against BJP workers in connection with alleged misuse of Form-7.

The NDA leaders alleged that the Congress government was deliberately using the police to create fear among BJP workers and those associated with the electoral roll revision exercise. They argued that the filing and verification of Form-7 applications are matters falling within the jurisdiction of the Election Commission and questioned the authority of the state government to initiate criminal proceedings merely on the basis of allegations concerning such applications.

"If there are irregularities in Form-7 applications, the Election Commission should examine them and take appropriate action," the opposition leaders maintained, alleging that the government was unnecessarily converting an electoral process into a criminal issue. The leaders claimed that not a single name had been removed from the electoral rolls merely because Form-7 applications were submitted. According to them, the Election Commission has the authority to verify applications, seek supporting documents and either accept or reject them based on the records.

The NDA leaders alleged that FIRs were instead being used as a weapon to intimidate political workers. They accused the government of invoking provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against those who had submitted Form-7 applications and alleged that such action amounted to abuse of power. The opposition cited the FIR registered against Jayanagar MLA C K Ramamurthy and several others as an example of what it described as politically motivated police action.

The BJP-JDS leaders said they had already approached senior police officials and the Election Commission but claimed that the issue remained unresolved. They therefore sought the Governor's intervention, alleging that the state administration was failing to act impartially.

The opposition further alleged that police stations were increasingly being used for political purposes and claimed that the government was misusing the administrative machinery against its political opponents. The NDA leaders demanded that the Governor seek a detailed report from the police and intervene to prevent what they termed misuse of state power.

They also sought action against the government if the allegations of administrative abuse were found to be true. Sources said the Governor has indicated that he would seek an explanation from the Director General and Inspector General of Police regarding the FIRs and the allegations raised by the opposition leaders.

UNI BDN