Kharge falls ill during poll rally in Jammu & Kashmir; Says will stay alive until PM Modi is ousted
Kathua: Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge experienced health issues during an election campaign in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. While addressing the gathering, Kharge reportedly felt dizzy and was seen struggling to maintain balance. His security personnel and Congress leaders present on stage quickly attended to him, leading to a temporary pause in the event.
Kharge was delivering a speech in Jasrota ahead of the third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections when he began to feel unwell. He was seen breathing heavily but managed to regain composure after taking a sip of water. Although he resumed his speech, he concluded it quickly due to his condition. The Congress is contesting these Assembly elections in alliance with the National Conference.
Following the incident, his son and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge posted on X (formerly Twitter) to update on his father’s health. “Congress President Sri @kharge felt slightly unwell while addressing a public meeting in Jasrota, Jammu & Kashmir. He has been checked upon by his medical team and apart from slightly low blood pressure, he is doing well. Extremely grateful for everyone's concern,” Priyank Kharge tweeted, adding that his father’s resolve and the good wishes of the people keep him going strong.
Despite the health scare, Kharge conveyed his determination to remain active in politics until Prime Minister Narendra Modi is removed from office. "I am 83 years old, but I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive till PM Modi is removed from power," Kharge asserted. He also criticized the Centre for its delayed approach to holding elections in the region and alleged that the government is attempting to maintain control through the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are being conducted in three phases, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 8.
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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.
