Chitradurga: BJP MLC and former minister C T Ravi has claimed that Hindu voters, rather than Muslims, are being removed from the electoral rolls in large numbers, and alleged that the process in Chikkamagaluru constituency requires scrutiny.

Ravi made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Chitradurga on Saturday, while responding to Congress leaders’ allegations that Muslim voters were being selectively deleted from the electoral rolls.

According to Ravi, around 37,000 names have been removed from the electoral rolls in Chikkamagaluru constituency, of which he claimed 32,000 belonged to Hindu voters. He did not provide details or documentary evidence to substantiate the figures.

Ravi also alleged that Congress leaders were attempting to prevent the issue of deletion of Hindu voters from coming to light. He termed the alleged deletions “treason” and called for the electoral authorities to examine the matter.

Referring to the provision for filing objections through Form 7, Ravi said objections to names on the electoral rolls should be investigated by officials and that names should be deleted only after following the prescribed procedure. He also alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was attempting to protect the voting rights of illegal migrants.

Ravi’s claims come amid an ongoing political dispute in Karnataka over the revision of electoral rolls, with leaders of different parties alleging irregularities and selective deletion of voters. The claims regarding the number and religious identity of voters whose names were deleted would require verification from official electoral records and authorities.