Congress President Kharge claims efforts on to change constitution, warns about dictatorship
Bengaluru, Feb 25: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday claimed that efforts are underway to change the Constitution, and warned people that there would "certainly be a dictatorship" in India if they don't stand strong and united in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
He was speaking at the valedictory of the 'Constitution and National Unity Convention -2024' here.
"Many people are trying to erase or change the Constitution. If you don't stand strong and united in the upcoming election and if the Constitution is affected, it is certain that there will be a dictatorship in this country in the days to come. Whether you want dictatorship or want to lead a life with justice, (deciding that) is important," Kharge said.
"If the Constitution survives, the unity of this country will survive. If democracy survives, every one can live with prosperity. But today there is no government at the Centre that either protects the Constitution or functions keeping the Constitution in mind," he added.
This is why protecting the Constitution and abiding by it is most important, he said, in his address to the gathering.
Kharge called on the citizens to be aware of efforts to mislead them by trying to impose a certain ideology.
He claimed that there was a conspiracy underway to frame a new Constitution by giving up the existing one. "(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi speaks about protecting the Constitution, but why are the protectors of the Constitution using the ED (on opposition leaders), purchasing MLAs of opposition parties to take control of opposition-ruled states or governments as done in Karnataka, Manipur and Goa? How far is this constitutional," Kharge said.
If this "obsession" continues, there may be a day when there will be a dictatorship in this country, he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is used to saying "my guarantee" instead of "Government's guarantees" or at least "BJP government's guarantees", Kharge said.
"How is it your (Modi) guarantee? It is not yours, when people of the country give money by paying taxes....if a person in this way says I did, I have done, I, I, I....then he will lead the country towards dictatorship one day."
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Sringeri postal ballot recount: Cong MLA Raje Gowda’s tally reduced by 255 votes
Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled for Congress MLA T D Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission for further decision, he said.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on the election petition filed by BJP’s defeated candidate D N Jeevaraj challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting took place on Saturday and continued until midnight.
Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes.
“The High Court on April 6 had ordered reverification and recounting. As per that order, the exercise has been completed. The court order did not direct us to announce the results; it also did not refer to EVM votes. The order was specific only to postal ballots,” returning officer Gaurav Kumar Shetty said.
Speaking to reporters late on Saturday night, he said, “During the 2023 vote counting, Jeevaraj had received 692 votes, while Raje Gowda had received 569 votes. Now, after reverification and recounting, Jeevaraj has 690 valid votes, which is two votes less than earlier, while Raje Gowda has 314 votes, a difference of 255 votes.”
After the reverification and recounting as per the court order, the strong room was sealed, and a report was sent to the Election Commission.
The returning officer said that as per Election Commission rules, there are clear guidelines on how to accept or reject a vote, and the procedure was followed accordingly.
Regarding allegations of vote tampering, he said the allegations are criminal in nature and do not fall under his jurisdiction.
Jeevaraj, speaking to reporters, said, “As per the current count, I have the majority. Officials have said that the Election Commission will make the formal announcement. I will wait for the Commission’s order.”
Raje Gowda expressed doubts about “vote tampering” and demanded a detailed inquiry into Jeevaraj and others. He said he would file a case in this regard.
“There are markings on the ballots polled in my favour. Different ink has been used; it is clearly visible. During the 2023 counting, all those ballots were deemed valid in the presence of counting agents of all parties. Now, such votes have been declared invalid, bringing down my tally,” he told reporters.
Raje Gowda and his supporters had earlier celebrated on Saturday, claiming the results were in their favour.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D K Shivakumar on Sunday alleged a “big conspiracy” in Sringeri.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the Congress would take up the matter legally and would pursue all possible steps from the government.
“No one can imagine that they (the BJP) will indulge in such criminal activity. This is evidence of how former MLA Jeevaraj misused officials close to him. I have received a report, and I am studying it. It is systematic criminal activity. I will go through the report and take further action. I had been watching developments overnight,” he added.
State BJP president B Y Vijayendra said that, as per his information, the Congress was pressuring officials not to declare the results.
Speaking to reporters in Tumakuru, he said, “Jeevaraj, after losing the election, went to court. Now, after the High Court order, recounting has happened, and Jeevaraj has won by 56 votes. There appears to be a conspiracy by the ruling Congress to delay the announcement of results to allow Raje Gowda time to approach the High Court.”
Jeevaraj has already faced “injustice” for about three years by being denied the MLA post, Vijayendra said. “The injustice should not continue, and the Congress should accept the mandate of the people.”
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accused the Congress and its leader, Rahul Gandhi, of “vote theft.”
“The Congress, which has been illegitimately enjoying power in the Sringeri Assembly seat for the past three years, now faces humiliation. This is not merely the victory of one individual; it is the victory of democracy. It is a hard-earned triumph for the value of the votes cast by Sringeri’s voters,” he posted on X, congratulating Jeevaraj.
