A former CM from Congress is luring JD(S) leaders, alleges Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, Nov 17: JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday alleged that a former Chief Minister from the Congress, who also desires to hold the post in the future as well, was making attempts to lure in his party leaders, especially from the old Mysuru region.
Though Kumaraswamy did not wish to take the name of the Congress leader, it appeared to be directed at former Chief Minister and now Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah. There was no reaction as yet from him or the Congress.
"Yesterday, a MLA friend of mine came and discussed with me, saying that a senior Congress leader who wants to become Chief Minister and was also the CM in the past, has called him twelve times, asking what he has decided (on joining Congress), stating that JD(S) has no future," Kumaraswamy said.
But the MLA directly replied that he was in JD(S) because of his good relationship with Kumaraswamy and not for any position and politics, he told reporters.
Kumaraswamy said the MLA even showed him details of the number of times he received calls from the Congress leader and said despite making his stand clear, the leader kept repeatedly calling him. "I'm aware that there have been constant attempts to brainwash JD(S) leaders who have a hold on their constituency, but it will be ineffective," he added.
There have been speculations within JD(S) circles that some of its sitting legislators and leaders may jump ship to other parties, ahead of the 2023 assembly polls.
JD(S) MLA from Chamundeshwari segment G T Devegowda and Gubbi legislator S R Srinivas have given enough indications about joining Congress in the days to come.
Kumaraswamy who did not wish to name the Congress leader, when reporters asked him, said, "why should I tell the name?. He is the Congress leader. I don't want to talk about anyone. They have been making efforts for the last three years. I'm aware of it."
"Let them (Congress) take whomever they want. I'm not worried, as my party workers are strongly with me," he said, adding that he was surprised to see that the leader, who claims that JD(S) is finished, was in "a pitiable situation of luring JD(S) leaders."
In response to a question, Kumaraswamy said it was not the case of one legislator, several of his party leaders have been contacted.
"Finishing JD(S) by the next assembly polls is their (Congress leaders) aim and desire, but it won't get fulfilled," he said, adding that the attempts to lure regional party leaders was more in the old Mysuru region.
Congress and JD(S) are traditional rivals in the old Mysuru region.
JD(S) has already announced "mission 123" (winning 123 seats in the 224 member assembly) to bring the party to power independently, after the 2023 assembly polls.
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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.
