We are preparing to retaliate against BJP's march: DCM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has stated that preparations are underway to respond to the BJP's march, highlighting that there are 30 alleged scams from the time of the BJP government. "We will uncover one scam every day," Shivakumar declared.
When asked about HD Kumaraswamy’s accusations related to a pen drive issue and his subsequent allegations against Prithangowda, Shivakumar suggested postponing that discussion. "Let's not talk about that now; we'll address it later. For now, let’s focus on our response to their padayatra. Once we have a clear outline of their march, we will decide our agenda," he said.
Commenting on the potential conflicts within the BJP's padayatra alliance, Shivakumar remarked, "Neither Kumaraswamy, nor I, nor the BJP, can escape party politics. I hope Kumaraswamy will maintain his party and political presence. There may be conflicts in the alliance due to this issue."
He added, “The BJP has won around 10 constituencies in the Lok Sabha elections with support from JD(S). The BJP's attempt to overshadow JD(S) leadership could create tension. If JD(S) and BJP merge, it could lead to further complications.”
Shivakumar emphasized Bengaluru’s significance, stating, “Bengaluru is crucial as it contributes the highest tax revenue to the central government. World leaders and global investors are interested in Bengaluru. During Manmohan Singh's tenure, several infrastructure projects were initiated, including the Electronic City flyover and the Airport flyover. With increased population, military land is now needed for the ring road.”
He noted that discussions have been held with the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Urban Development to secure grants for various projects, including the tunnel road. The Deputy Chief Minister also mentioned that the Prime Minister has promised to consider their request for earlier disbursement of budgeted grants.
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Supreme Court rejects plea for reverting to ballots in elections
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking to revert to ballot paper voting in elections in the country.
"What happens is, when you win the election, EVMs (electronic voting machine) are not tampered. When you lose the election, EVMs are tampered (with)," remarked a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P B Varale.
Apart from ballot paper voting, the plea sought several directions including a directive to the Election Commission to disqualify candidates for a minimum of five years if found guilty of distributing money, liquor or other material inducement to the voters during polls.
When petitioner-in-person K A Paul said he filed the PIL, the bench said, "You have interesting PILs. How do you get these brilliant ideas?".
The petitioner said he is the president of an organisation which has rescued over three lakh orphans and 40 lakh widows.
"Why are you getting into this political arena? Your area of work is very different," the bench retorted.
After Paul revealed he had been to over 150 countries, the bench asked him whether each of the nations had ballot paper voting or used electronic voting.
The petitioner said foreign countries had adopted ballot paper voting and India should follow suit.
"Why you don't want to be different from the rest of the world?" asked the bench.
There was corruption and this year (2024) in June, the Election Commission announced they had seized Rs 9,000 crore, Paul responded.
"But how does that make your relief which you are claiming here relevant?" asked the bench, adding "if you shift back to physical ballot, will there be no corruption?".
Paul claimed CEO and co-founder of Tesla, Elon Musk, stated that EVMs could be tampered with and added TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, the current chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, and former state chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy had claimed EVMs could be tampered with.
"When Chandrababu Naidu lost, he said EVMs can be tampered with. Now this time, Jagan Mohan Reddy lost, he said EVMs can be tampered with," noted the bench.
When the petitioner said everybody knew money was distributed in elections, the bench remarked, "We never received any money for any elections."
The petitioner said another prayer in his plea was the formulation of a comprehensive framework to regulate the use of money and liquor during election campaigns and ensuring such practices were prohibited and punishable under the law.
The plea further sought a direction to mandate an extensive voter education campaign to raise awareness and importance of informed decision making.
"Today, 32 per cent educated people are not casting their votes. What a tragedy. If democracy will be dying like this and we will not be able to do anything then what will happen in the years to come in future," the petitioner said.
