Oct 28: 478 new COVID-19 cases, 17 deaths in Karnataka
Dakshina Kannada reports 31 Covid positive cases, 4 fatalities
Bengaluru, Oct 28: Karnataka on Thursday witnessed a spurt in new coronavirus cases and fatalities with 478 fresh infections and 17 deaths being reported, taking the caseload and death toll to 29,87,313 and 38,054.
The state had reported 282 fresh cases and 13 deaths on Wednesday whereas on Tuesday it was 277 new cases and seven fatalities.
The day also saw 334 people being discharged, taking the total number of recoveries to 29,40,673., leaving 8,557 active cases, a health department bulletin said.
Bengaluru Urban logged the maximum number of 235 new cases and seven deaths, it said.
There was unexpected increase in fresh infections in a few districts such as 53 in Tumakuru, 47 in Mysuru, 31 in Dakshina Kannada, 29 in Kodagu and 24 in Hassan.
While 11 districts reported zero infections, 11 districts had cases in single digits.
Four fatalities were reported Dakshina Kannada, two each in Mysuru and Kolar, and one each in Hassan and Ramanagar, the bulletin said.
Bagalkote, Belagavi, Bidar, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Koppal, Raichur, Vijayapura and Yadgir reported zero infections and zero COVID-19 related deaths.
The positivity rate for the day was 0.42 per cent and the case fatality rate was 3.55 per cent.
A total of 1,13,152 samples were tested including 91,136 on Thursday, taking the cumulative number of specimens examined to 5.05 crore.
The number of vaccinations done so far in the state rose to 6.47 crore, with 1,76,433 people being inoculated today, it said.
To view today's health bulletin: CLICK HERE
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.
