Rioters will face bulldozer action in Gujarat: Minister
Gandhinagar, Mar 19 (PTI): Gujarat MOS for Home Harsh Sanghavi on Wednesday justified the 'bulldozer action' against anti-social elements, saying only opposition parties are upset whereas people are happy with such measures.
Speaking in the assembly, Sanghavi also vowed strict action against those engage in "love jihad", who he said would be paraded on streets.
He was responding to Congress's charge that the BJP government had acted strictly only against small-time goons but excluded "mining mafias and land mafias".
"Instead of being happy, the opposition is upset over the crackdown on such anti-social elements. Opposition alleges that such elements are not afraid of the police.
"But their tone changes when Gujarat Police's bulldozer razes the buildings constructed on government land," said Sanghavi while seeking the approval of the House for Budgetary allocations for the Home Department.
He was referring to the demolition of illegally constructed houses of six of 14 accused arrested by Ahmedabad Police on March 14 for attacking commuters and rioting in Vastral area of the city.
"'Dada's bulldozer (read CM Bhupendra Patel) won't spare such elements who create ruckus after coming to Gujarat from other states," he added.
He said the same people labelled as "anti-social elements" in the night are perceived as poor people by the opposition in the morning.
"Dada's bulldozer will turn on anyone who comes to Gujarat and engages in riots. Miscreants were nabbed in hours and taught a lesson by police as per the law. Except for opposition MLAs, Gujarat is happy with the government's action," said Sanghavi.
On the Congress' charge of the growing menace of drugs, the MoS Home urged the Opposition not to politicise the issue, pointing out that Gujarat Police had seized drugs from other states including West Bengal.
Attacking Congress for its allegation that the law and order situation has deteriorated under BJP rule, Sanghavi said cities in Gujarat were once identified with residential "dons" under the Congress rule, "like Latif in Ahmedabad".
Gujarat ranked 33 in India's crime graph, the minister said citing the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data of 2022.
"Similarly, Gujarat was at the 27th position in crime against children and 33 in economic crimes. In Gujarat, police do not hesitate to arrest those who can be seen standing beside me in a photo. It is a certificate that the police do not work under any political influence," he said.
He said police will take strict action against those who engage in "love jihad".
"We have to take action if Amjad poses as Amit to trap girls. We have to take action for the safety of our daughters. And, it is necessary to take out their procession so that people can see their faces" said Sanghavi.
અમદાવાદ શહેર પોલીસ દ્વારા આજરોજ અસામાજીક તત્વો વિરુદ્ધ ની ડ્રાઇવ દરમિયાન ગેરકાયદેસર દબાણ પોલીસ દ્વારા દુર કરવામા આવ્યા.જેમા વેજલપુર પોલીસ સ્ટેશન વિસ્તારમા કુખ્યાત કાલુ ગરદનની 4 દુકાન અને 1 મકાન, દરિયાપુર રવિ નુ 1 મકાન, મેઘાણીનગર 2 મકાન, શહેરકોટડા 1 મકાન, સરદારનગર 1 મકાન, દૂર… pic.twitter.com/p30OGTX7ZZ
— Ahmedabad Police અમદાવાદ પોલીસ (@AhmedabadPolice) March 19, 2025
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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.
