Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged that nearly 15,000 voter names in Belagavi, Karnataka, were targeted for deletion from electoral rolls through a large number of Form 7 applications filed over 22, 23 and 24 September.

Gandhi made the allegation in a on X, where he accused the BJP and the Election Commission of allowing what he described as an organised attempt to remove voters. He claimed that Muslims, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Class voters were among those targeted.

What Rahul Gandhi alleged

According to Gandhi, the alleged deletions were part of a centralised system in which software was used to remove selected voters. He further claimed that Form 7 applications were submitted in bulk against chosen groups through an automated process involving people from the BJP and the Election Commission.

Gandhi said the same method had previously been exposed by him and alleged that voters could disappear from electoral rolls soon after such applications were filed. These claims were made by Gandhi in his X and were not independently established in the supplied material.

also linked the alleged activity to what Gandhi called “vote chori” and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gyanesh Kumar of using the Special Intensive Revision process to undermine democracy. He described the alleged conduct as treason.

FIR demand in Karnataka

Karnataka Congress leaders are currently seeking an FIR against those they believe are responsible at the office of the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer. Gandhi questioned why the CEO was refusing to register the FIR.

He also called on Gyanesh Kumar to resign and become an approver, while demanding an investigation against Modi and Shah. a response from the BJP, the Election Commission or the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer to these allegations is not yet available.

The dispute centres on the use of Form 7, the application referred to in Gandhi's in connection with requests to remove names from voter lists. The supplied material does not establish whether the applications were accepted, how many names were ultimately removed, or whether any official inquiry has begun.

Political context

The allegations are part of Gandhi's continuing “vote chori” charge. Related coverage supplied with the report records that he renewed the allegation on 23 September 2026 after an Express report. It also identifies Gandhi as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and records a media address at Indira Bhawan, the AICC headquarters, on 24 September 2026.

No independent verification of the Belagavi claims, the alleged targeting of specific communities, or the role attributed to BJP and Election Commission officials is included in the supplied material.

Conclusion

Gandhi has demanded criminal action and wider investigations over alleged bulk voter deletions in Belagavi. The key unresolved issues are whether the Form 7 applications led to actual removals and how the BJP, Election Commission and Karnataka CEO respond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What did Rahul Gandhi allege in Belagavi?

He alleged that nearly 15,000 voter names were targeted for deletion through Form 7 applications filed over 22, 23 and 24 September.

Q. Which communities did Gandhi say were targeted?

He named Muslims, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Class voters.

Q. What action are Karnataka Congress leaders seeking?

They are seeking an FIR at the office of the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer against those they believe are responsible.

Q. What did Gandhi demand from Gyanesh Kumar?

He called for Gyanesh Kumar to resign and become an approver.

Q. What investigation did Gandhi seek?

He demanded an investigation against Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

Q. Has the alleged voter deletion been independently established?

independent verification of the allegations or confirm how many names were ultimately removed is not yet available.

Q. Has the BJP or Election Commission responded?

a response from the BJP, the Election Commission or the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer is not yet available.