TN people will reject DMK-Cong, NDA will sweep TN, P'cherry: Goyal
Chennai (PTI): The people of Tamil Nadu will reject the DMK-Congress combine in the ensuing Assembly election just like the people of Maharashtra, Haryana, Bihar and Delhi did for the INDIA combine, BJP Tamil Nadu in-charge and Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday.
Goyal, who arrived here to finalise the seat-sharing among the NDA allies, said the AIADMK-led opposition bloc will make a clean sweep in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and establish NDA government.
"We will launch the fight against the evil force DMK and its partners who have taken Tamil Nadu to extreme difficult times due to their incompetent management of economy and due to actions which hurt Tamil culture. People are fed up with the DMK and Congress," he said.
"Just like the Congress and its partners faced defeat continuously in the elections held in Maharashtra, Haryana, Bihar and Delhi, the people of Tamil Nadu will reject the DMK-Congress combine in the state."
"It is because people want good governance, development politics, a better future and opportunities for youth, and women to prosper. Tamil Nadu is ready for a government under the strong National Democratic Alliance under the guidance of visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Goyal told reporters.
Modi on Saturday set a record in becoming the longest serving head of government in India's history, having served as Chief Minister and PM for 25 years. He showed how good governance could transform the destiny of the people of India. Tamil Nadu people wanted a government led by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, a government that would bring development for farmers and all sections and work towards developed Tamil Nadu and lead developed India, he said.
"We will ensure Tamil Nadu will have a very bright future," the minister added.
Single-phase elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23, while 30 segments in neighbouring Puducherry go to polls on April 9.
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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.
