Delhi CM attends Iftar party, says such programs strengthen 'unity and harmony' in society
New Delhi, Mar 16 (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday attended an Iftar programme hosted by Delhi BJP's Minority Morcha at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, saying that such programmes strengthen "unity and harmony" in the society.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, along with several BJP leaders, also attended the programme.
"Got the opportunity to share the message of harmony and unity with all the brothers and sisters in the 'Dawat-e-Iftar' program organised by BJP Minority Morcha (Delhi State). Our culture is a symbol of mutual respect, love, and harmony, and such programs further strengthen unity and harmony in society," Gupta said in a post on X.
This was the second Iftar program attended by the BJP leaders after the party formed the government in Delhi, ending the decade-long rule of the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP in the Assembly elections last month.
Earlier, Chief Minister Gupta, Rijiju, and other party leaders attended an Iftar hosted by the Delhi Haj Committee on Saturday.
Muslims, holding fast during the holy month of Ramadan, break their fast together in the evening at Iftar gatherings.
Rijiju, in a post on X, said that the gathering of Iftar "beautifully reflected the essence of this holy month. A truly special evening celebrating unity, generosity, and shared blessings."
Minority Morcha's national president Jamal Siddiqui, Delhi Minister Ashish Sood, Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad, international Kho Kho player Nasreen Sheikh, former Union Ministers Shahnawaz Hussain and Harsh Vardhan, among others, attended the program.
Delhi BJP Minority Morcha President Anees Abbasi emphasised that Ramadan is a sacred month of devotion, during which Muslims observe fasting and pray for communal harmony and the country’s prosperity.
He stated that the Roza Iftar event was organized with the same spirit, aiming to collectively pray for a developed Delhi and contribute to realising the Prime Minister's vision.
भाजपा अल्पसंख्यक मोर्चा (दिल्ली प्रदेश) द्वारा आयोजित ‘दावत-ए-इफ्तार’ कार्यक्रम में सभी भाई-बहनों के साथ मिलकर सौहार्द और एकता का संदेश साझा करने का अवसर मिला।
— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) March 16, 2025
इस आयोजन में केंद्रीय मंत्री श्री @KirenRijiju जी और कैबिनेट में साथी श्री @ashishsood_bjp जी भी उपस्थित रहे। हमारी… pic.twitter.com/a89Vhd9kAr
An evening of togetherness in the spirit of Ramzan. Attended the Dawat-e-Iftar at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi, on the invitation of Delhi BJP Minority Morcha President @AnishAbbasi ji.
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) March 16, 2025
Joined by Hon'ble CM Smt @gupta_rekha ji, the gathering beautifully reflected… pic.twitter.com/4uAIeHHsX6
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
