Kerala CM Vijayan rejects allegations of independent MLA P V Anvar
Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi (PTI): A day after Left independent MLA P V Anvar made scathing allegations against the CPI(M), LDF and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Marxist veteran on Friday denied the accusations and termed them as an "attempt to malign and defame" the ruling dispensation in the state.
Vijayan, speaking to reporters in the national capital, said that Anvar, by his remarks, had made his intention clear that was keeping away from the Left front.
"He made his intention clear by his statements. He clearly announced he was keeping away from the LDF and will not attend its parliamentary party meeting in the state assembly," the CM said.
Vijayan further said that he was "rejecting the allegations made by him against the party, LDF and the government".
"It was part of an attempt to malign and defame the LDF and the government," he said.
The CM said that the allegations by Anvar on Thursday were similar to those being made by the opposition against the LDF.
Vijayan, however, made it clear that Anvar's remarks would not in any manner affect the ongoing probes and enquiries into the various complaints and allegations made by him.
Virtually ending his association with the ruling LDF, Anvar on Thursday lashed out at Vijayan, accusing him of misleading the public and demanding that he give up the charge of the Home department.
Anvar also challenged Vijayan to order a reinvestigation of the around 180 gold smuggling cases in the state under the supervision of a sitting judge, alleging the police were not following proper procedure when seizing the precious metal from the 'carriers' who brought it from abroad illegally.
Lashing out at the CM, Anvar even called Vijayan a "cheat".
The MLA from Nilambur assembly constituency said that the ruling CPI(M) in the state has gone back on the assurances given to him with regard to the various allegations and complaints he made against ADGP M R Ajithkumar and the CM's political secretary P Sasi.
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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.
