BJP wants voting put off in Bengaluru's RR Nagar constituency
Bengaluru, May 9: A day after 9,746 voter ID cards were seized from a flat in Rajarajeshwari Nagar Assembly constituency in Karnataka, the BJP on Wednesday accused the Congress of hatching a conspiracy to "derail" free and fare polls and demanded that voting be postponed in the assembly segment in Bengaluru Urban district.
"Five laptops, scanners and lamination machines and many voter ID cards were burnt before police reached the spot. Still they recovered around 1 lakh counterfoils of Form-6. This shows a deep conspiracy to derail free and fair election," Union HRD Minister and party’s in-charge for Karnataka polls Prakash Javadekar told the media.
Raising a pointing finger at the Congress, he said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) never indulges in such activities, while the former has been doing such activities.
"This is biggest threat to democracy. This is subversion of election. This is what Congress does. If it's not getting real votes, it creates fake voters... It's the philosophy of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Rahul Gandhi. Voting must be immediately countermanded," he said.
The BJP leader claimed that the flat in Jalahalli area in the Rajarajeshwari constituency, where fake voter IDs were allegedly found, was "never rented" and belongs to Manjula Nanjundmuri, who has been associated with Congress's local MLA N. Munirathna.
"This flat was never let out. So, she (Manjula) should also be arrested. All the proofs of call records and others must be forensically examined by the police and cyber crime department," Javadekar said.
Calling Congress MLA Munirathna "the kingpin", Union Minister Sadananda Gowda also demanded postponement of voting in the constituency.
"After investigations, the truth will be out. This election should be postponed and only then democracy will survive," he said.
State's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sanjiv Kumar on late Tuesday night said 9,746 voter cards have been seized from a flat in the constituency.
"In a surprise visit to a flat in Jalahalli locality, nearly 9,746 voter ID cards were found. Five laptops and one printer was also found in the flat," Kumar said.
Over a lakh slips resembling acknowledgement slips used for adding names into the electoral rolls were also found.
The voting in 223 assembly constituencies of the state will be held on May 12 and votes counted on May 15.
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Ex-BJP MLA Raghupati Bhat turns rebel, to contest council election independently in Karnataka
Udupi (PTI): Striking a rebellious note, former BJP MLA from Udupi Raghupati Bhat has announced his decision to contest the upcoming MLC elections on June 3 as an independent candidate, representing the South-West Graduates' constituency.
Bhat has expressed his intent to stand as "a representative of party workers in the region".
He had been sulking ever since the BJP denied him a ticket in the 2023 Assembly election and fielded Yashpal Suvarna who won the election.
Bhat had turned emotional in public in 2023 when the BJP did not field him but announced supporting Suvarna.
The rebel BJP leader was expecting an MLC ticket for the Karantaka South West Graduates' constituency and had lobbied hard for it but the party decided to field Dr Dhananjaya Sarji.
Reflecting on his journey, Bhat on Monday highlighted his role in supporting the party candidate during the Assembly elections and securing a significant lead in votes.
The rebel leader expressed disappointment with the party's decision to award the MLC ticket to Dhananjay Sarji, a recent entrant to the party, over deserving senior candidates, including himself.
He was expecting support of 38,000 new voters who he claimed he had previously enrolled.
While reaffirming his allegiance to the BJP, Bhat clarified that his decision to contest independently stemmed from his commitment to the welfare of teachers and graduates.
He acknowledged assurances from senior BJP leaders regarding his candidature but remained resolute in his stance.
With nominations set to be filed on May 16, Bhat asserted that he would not retract his decision despite potential consequences.
Emphasising his respect for the BJP flag and expressing confidence in his victory, he reiterated his dedication to supporting the party even if successful as an independent candidate.
Bhat concluded by expressing hope for reconciliation with the BJP in future elections, affirming his identity as a BJP leader and commitment to serving the interests of his constituents.
