Himachal BJP leader files complaint seeking FIR against Rahul for 'defaming' PM
Shimla (PTI): A BJP leader in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday filed a complaint seeking registration of an FIR against Rahul Gandhi for allegedly defaming the prime minister and endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
Chief of BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha in the state Rakesh Dogra filed the application at Chhota Shimla police station here, making reference to a letter sent by BJP president J P Nadda to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge.
Reacting to a letter written by Kharge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to take action against ruling NDA members for making highly objectionable and violent statements against Rahul Gandhi, Nadda on Wednesday wrote a three-page letter to the Congress president, giving a gist of abusive and defamatory references made by Gandhi against Modi.
In the past 10 years, Gandhi abused the prime minister more than 110 times and it is a matter of regret that even the top leadership of Congress party was involved in it, Nadda had said in his letter.
In his complaint, Dogra said Nadda's letter is self-explanatory and describes the unfortunate remarks not only by Gandhi but also by the Congress under his influence.
"I urge you to investigate the matter and take appropriate legal action by registering FIR against Rahul Gandhi under relevant sections," he said.
The complaint was filed against Gandhi's defamatory statements about Modi recently which not only harmed the prime minister's reputation but also endangered sovereignty of the country, said BJP state media in-charge Karan Nanda.
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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.
