Ananth Kumar Hegde must withdraw from elections: VS Shyamsundar
Bhatkal: Alleging that the BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde, who had been sleeping for the last five years, has woken up now as the elections are nearing, BJP leader VS Shyamsundar Gaikwad has demanded that Hegde withdraw from the Lok Sabha elections.
He was speaking at a press conference held at the Royal Oak Hotel.
In Uttara Kannada Lok Sabha constituency, the number of voters belonging to the backward classes including Marathas, Naykas, fishermen is large, and this time BJP should give tickets to the backward classes, Karnataka Kshatriya Maratha Maha Okkoota's president said. I have been working for the growth of BJP for the past 30 years. I worked hard for the development of Chhatrapati Shivaji's father's tomb. The Maratha community has supported Yeddyurappa to become the Chief Minister. The support of the Maratha community also contributed to BJP's 4 MLAs becoming 36 and then 110. He further demanded that this time Ananth Kumar Hegde must withdraw from the elections himself and give me a chance.
In the last Lok Sabha elections, BJP did not give a single seat to the backward class. Do not do such a thing this time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done a lot of work in the country. But this time there is a Congress government in the state and they have to fight for victory. Belagavi, Chikkodi, Uttara Kannada, Dharwad, Bidar districts are dominated by the Maratha community. He also said that giving tickets to the Maratha community will help the BJP to win in 7 other constituencies.
Speaking on the occasion, Sri Virupaksha Swamiji of Mundagoda Salagaon Gaurammaji Mutt said Sri Rama resides in everyone's mind and heart. He further said that BJP should empower Shyamsundara Gaikwad who is taking Ramrath to every taluk, everyone respects Chhatrapati Shivaji. He said that their Kshatriya society should be empowered.
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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.
