Kejriwal hand in glove with pvt power companies: BJP
New Delhi, Sep 29 : Hours after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday described the proposed amendment to the Electricity Act 2003 as "anti-people" and "anti-federal", the BJP hit back, saying it reflects the city government is hand in glove with private companies to loot people with extra-ordinarily high power tariff.
"The opposition expressed by Kejriwal towards the proposed efforts of the Central government for providing cheap electricity to the people reflects that his government is hand in glove with the private companies to loot the people with extra ordinary high tariff," Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said here.
He said that the central government is trying to bring a Bill for withdrawal of excessive meter load surcharge.
Tiwari pointed out that the Central government provides electricity to all states "but often the states, as in the present case of Delhi, impose excessive surcharges and make power costly for the people".
"In this situation, under the constitutional framework the Centre has all the power to bring a Bill to reduce the power tariff," said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader.
He said it is an effort in public interest effort and there is no misuse of power involved in it.
Tiwari's remarks came after Kejriwal said the proposed amendment to the Electricity Act 2003 would lead to a steep hike in the electricity bill of the common man.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader also alleged that the bill would also result in complete control of the Centre over the power sector and total exclusion of the states.
Tiwari said that if the cost of electricity for the public can be brought down without any impact on actual revenue, there is no reason for the state government to oppose it.
"The way Kejriwal has reacted to the proposed Bill on reduction of electricity surcharge, it seems that some kind of misappropriation has been going on in working out power tariff and other surcharges with the connivance of Delhi government and private companies," he added.
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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.
