Congress cites 'sting operation' to allege post-demonetisation currency exchange for commission
BJP refutes charges
New Delhi, Apr 9: The Congress on Tuesday cited a 'sting operation' to allege exchange of old notes post-demonetisation for hefty commissions by people claiming proximity to the government and the BJP, but the ruling party refuted the allegations and said it would take appropriate legal action.
At a press conference here, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal also alleged that currency notes worth thousands of crores were printed abroad and then transported into the country through Indian Air force planes after December 31, 2016.
He alleged that "a team of government officials drawn from different departments were engaged in the exchange of old notes for new post-demonetisation".
He, however, did not authenticate the videos he showed at the conference and said these are in the public domain and the concerned agencies should initiate a probe. Sibal also claimed the Election Commission was not acting on their complaints.
Responding to the charges, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in Patna "Kapil Sibal has made false allegations on our (party) president (Amit Shah) and we will take legal action."
A defence ministry spokesperson said, "It is categorically refuted that any Indian Air Force aircraft was tasked to fly abroad for carrying currency prior to, during or after demonetisation as alleged in a video released today."
"Demonetisation is the biggest scam in the history of India. Current notes (issued after the old Rs 500/100 notes were demonetised in November 2016) were printed abroad and transported into India and there can be nothing more anti-national than this," Sibal told reporters.
"Mr Modi started his tenure by fooling us and he is ending his five-year-tenure by traumatising us. He traumatised the people of this country, he has traumatised the poor of this country, he has traumatised journalists and his political opponents. He has used the agencies to target people who are opposed to him," he said.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Sibal has exposed the "stench of corruption that has reached the highest echelons of the Modi government".
"If this is not 'anti-national', then what is? Will the Supreme Court show the courage to take note and hold the corrupt accountable?" he asked.
Referring to the Income Tax Department's action against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's aides, the Congress leader said the alacrity with which the Enforcement Directorate and the I-T have acted, they should also act fast and arrest the people in the video and tell the country what has happened.
Asked if he or his party would seek any judicial intervention by moving the court on this issue, the former minister said there is no time left for elections and therefore the matter cannot be taken up.
He said the government should initiate a probe into allegations made in the video and immediately register an FIR in the matter. Sibal also asked the EC to take immediate action in the matter.
He accused the government agencies of acting against BJP's political rivals, but not against those who are close to the ruling party or the government despite complaints against them.
LIVE: Press briefing by former union minister @KapilSibal. https://t.co/FmpAWT90P3
— Congress Live (@INCIndiaLive) April 9, 2019
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.
