Just speculations, no decision taken on resignation: Manipur CM
Imphal, Jan 21: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said talks of resignation by him, his cabinet colleagues and MLAs were "just speculations and we are not taking any decision now."
Singh's remark comes in the wake of a report' that went viral on social media on Saturday which said "Singh along with his cabinet colleagues of both the hills and valley and the MLAs have taken a resolution to raise demands with the central government concerning the state, while cautioning that all of them will resign unless the pressing issues are addressed".
"No concrete decision has been taken concerning the resignation and the matter is being deliberated upon," he told reporters here.
Replying to media queries on the sidelines of a programme, Singh said, "We have to take a concrete decision to protect our people and the state. To whom will we hand over the administration. We have to think about that too."
"In this particular matter, we should not play politics. We should not listen to voices of vested interests... We are thinking about what the situation will be. We are mainly concerned about the lives of the people. Who will we hand over the responsibility to. We are discussing it minutely. We may or may not resign but we are serious," Singh said.
To a query on the recent violence in the state, Singh said, "The killing of four civilians each at Haotak and Ningthoukhong is highly condemnable. It's a cowardly act. We have arrested those who killed Moreh SDPO Anand. Similarly, those involved in the killing of the civilians will be booked too."
Earlier addressing the public on the occasion of the 52nd statehood Day, Singh said, "Central forces were not being invited to observe and see what is going on. We invited them to protect the state, the lives and properties of people. They are not being invited to watch."
The Manipur CM also asked the "state commandos, IRB and Manipur Rifles personnel to remain prepared at all times."
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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.
