Karnataka bypolls: Congress accuses BJP of distributing Rs 2,000 per vote, CM Bommai hits back
Bengaluru, Oct 21: The Congress in Karnataka on Thursday accused the ruling BJP of distributing Rs 2,000 per vote in the bypoll bound Sindagi and Hangal assembly segments, fearing defeat.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, rejecting the allegation, accused the Congress of having indulged in such activities, and claimed that love and trust of the people was BJP's strength.
"As far as I know, a lot of money is being spent, the information that has spread there (constituencies) is that Rs 2,000 is being paid per vote," Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "on what basis will they (BJP) seek vote? other than money there is nothing for them, they can't show any achievement. They could not manage Corona effectively, did not give proper compensation to those dead, the number of deaths itself is lies. In fact they indulged in corruption in Corona related purchases."
State Congress President D K Shivakumar too alleged that BJP was distributing Rs 2,000 per vote.
"It seems that the Chief Minister has got the intelligence report that they (BJP) will lose in both constituencies, so he has sent all the Ministers with bags of money and the money is getting distributed from the neighbouring constituency," he said addressing the election campaign in Hangal.
Hitting out at Congress leaders for the allegation, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, BJP was going to the election with the love and trust of the people, which is the party's strength.
"D K Shivakumar, while in power, during bypolls to Kundgol, Gundlupet and Nanjangud- we have seen his experience with sacks (with money), he is now trying to put that allegation on us," he said in Haveri.
Bypolls for the two seats will be held on October 30, while counting of votes will take place on November 2.
The by-elections have been necessitated as the seats fell vacant following the death of Sindagi JD(S) legislator M C Managuli and BJP's C M Udasi from Hangal.
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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.
