Bengaluru: In his Deepavali Greetings to the People of Karnataka, Archbishop Peter Machado, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangalore and President of the Karnataka Region Catholic Bishops’ Council (KRCBC), said that all world religions speak about the sacredness of Divine Light that it has the power to expel the darkness of selfishness, avarice, animosity, and hatred and to fill our lives with the light of love, mercy, and compassion needed to lead a meaningful life.
Archbishop Machado wished the people of Karnataka, especially those who celebrate Deepavali, A Happy Festival of Lights, and prayed that the Supreme Light illumines their minds, enlightens their hearts, and strengthens the human bonds in their homes and communities. His Grace said, let each one’s earnest plea to God, on this happy occasion be, ‘Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya’ (Lead me from darkness to light), as stated in Brihadaranyaka Upanishads. Jesus Christ, who is the Light of the World also exhorts us, in Mathew’s Gospel: “You are the light of the World. Make your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Mathew 5:16).
Commenting on our Prime Minister’s recent meeting with Pope Francis, Archbishop Machado said that the entire nation, especially the Catholic Community, is greatly delighted to know of this historic personal meeting of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with His Holiness Pope Francis on 30th October, and his cordial invitation to Pope Francis to visit India. While appreciating his goodwill in inviting His Holiness to our country, we wish that the Pope’s visit to India is made possible and that it will happen in the near future.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
