Lok Sabha polls: Rs 9.64 cr cash seized in Karnataka
Bengaluru: The Election Commission on Saturday said cash to the tune of Rs 2.75 crore has been seized in the past 24 hours, taking the total amount of money seized in Karnataka to Rs 9.64 crore since the model code of conduct came into force on March 16.
The general elections in Karnataka will be held in two phases on April 26 and May seven for its 28 constituencies.
According to EC officials, since the Model Code of Conduct came into force on March 16, the flying squads, static surveillance teams and police authorities have seized Rs 9.64 crore cash, Rs 15.6 lakh freebies, 7.20 lakh litres of liquor worth over Rs 22.85 crore, 52.12 kg narcotic substances worth over Rs 53 lakh and precious metals valued at over Rs 36 crore.
They have also registered 402 FIRs with regard to the seizure of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and freebies while 65,432 arms have been deposited, 831 arms were impounded, eight arms licences have been cancelled, 3,853 cases were booked under preventive sections of CrPC, out of which 4,136 people were bounded over.
The Excise Department has booked 471 heinous cases, 359 cases for breach of licence conditions, 24 NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act) and 1,477 cases under Section 15 (a) of Karnataka Excise Act 1965 and also 284 different types of vehicles have been seized.
In a statement, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka said Static Surveillance Team has seized Rs. 38 lakh cash in Nayakanahahatti Cross Checkpost in Chitradurga parliamentary constituency, Rs. 12.68 lakh cash in Hirolli Checkpost, Gulbarga parliamentary constituency. They also seized 180 bags containing pan masala worth Rs 33 lakh in Chigaralli Check post, Gulbarga parliamentary constituency.
Meanwhile, they have also sized 243.56 gm of gold jewellery worth Rs. 13.20 lakh at Magadi Checkpost in Udupi Chikmagalur parliamentary constituency.
Police have seized gold ornaments worth over Rs. 38 lakh in Dharwad parliamentary constituency while the Income Tax department has seized over Rs. 28 lakh cash in Bengaluru Urban district among other seizures.
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Kharge has put 'full stop' to leadership speculation in Karnataka: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge has put a "full stop" on the issue of leadership change in the state.
Kharge's statement has a lot of significance and there ends the matter for now. Everyone in the party should respect and accept this, he said.
Parameshwara was referring to Kharge's statement on Thursday that there was no chief minister change in Karnataka "for now" and that the leadership issue in the state will be resolved soon.
Kharge's statement came amid speculation within the party and political circles about a possible decision on leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, once the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.
"Mallikarjun Kharge is our party's national president. He has a lot of experience. Several people, including me, have said that in the case of change (in leadership), if he (Kharge) comes (as CM), no one could speak in front of his experience and everyone would accept it. While replying to it, Kharge said that there is a chief minister now, and there is no question of change as of now," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I welcome his (Kharge) statement because I feel he has expressed his opinion after a discussion involving him, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala (both AICC general secretaries). I may be right or wrong. I feel that his statement has a lot of significance. So that matter ends there for now."
Responding to a question on repeated statements by several party leaders regarding leadership change, the home minister said, what the AICC chief has said on the matter is final. It should be respected and accepted by all in the party. There is no meaning in interpreting it further.
"I cannot respond to what others say, but I can say my opinion. In my opinion, the AICC chief is the supreme authority in the party. He, along with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, are our high command. If the high command has said something, we should both respect and accept it. There ends the matter," he said.
Kharge has put a "full stop" on the issue, he further said, adding that, "When he has said there is no change. It is a full stop."
Responding to a question on Parameshwara's recent statement about Kharge becoming chief minister, the AICC chief on Thursday said, "You (media), he (Parameshwara), and people at the top say that it is better if I become CM. But more than fate, as per my ideology and my service to the party so far, Sonia Gandhi makes decisions regarding me."
He had further said, "But that question does not arise now. There is already a CM here. If Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and I together have to take any decision in that direction, it will take some time. Let's wait and see."
Kharge on Friday too said no date has been fixed yet to discuss a possible leadership change in Karnataka.
Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar have been insisting on his elevation in line with a reported power-sharing agreement with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah when the party won the 2023 Assembly elections. Some have even claimed that "sweet news" is expected by May 15, which is Shivakumar's birthday.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fuelled by a reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
