UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi reminds BJP of Vajpayee defeat in 2004
Rae Bareli (UP), Apr 11: Top Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "not invincible" with the former reminding the BJP about the defeat of the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004 despite the party's 'India Shining' campaign.
Without naming Modi, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress president, also called Modi an "arrogant" leader.
Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were talking to reporters after the UPA chairperson filed her nomination papers from the Rae Bareli constituency seeking a fifth term from her home turf in Uttar Pradesh.
When Sonia Gandhi was asked to comment on BJP believing that Modi was invincible, she replied, "not at all...don't forget 2004... Vajpayee Ji was invincible but we won", recalling the 'India Shining' campaign of the BJP.
Vajpayee, who headed the BJP-led NDA government, was defeated in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi-led Congress, despite predictions that he would win another term with his 'India Shining' campaign.
Rahul Gandhi also intensified his attack on the prime minister, a day after the Supreme Court agreed to hear review petitions on its Rafale verdict and said he was "not invincible" which will be proved after the Lok Sabha elections.
"There have been many many people in Indian history who have had the arrogance to believe that they are invincible that they are bigger than people of India.. Mr. Narendra Modi has done nothing for the people of India in the last 5 years. His invisibility will be in full view after election results," he said.
In a setback to the Centre, the Supreme Court Wednesday agreed to hear petitions for a review of its verdict in the Rafale fighter jet deal on the basis of "leaked" secret documents by dismissing its preliminary objections.
Buoyed by the apex court's decision, the Congress president once again challenged the prime minister for an open debate with him on the Rafale deal and said he was "ready to go to Race Course Road (PM's residence)" for it.
"I have to say to Modi ji give only one answer .. he can do whatever he feels like... I have done nothing wrong but let him give answer to one question why has the contract been given to Anil Ambani, whom he calls his friend, his brother and who has no experience in making aircraft," Rahul said when asked to comment on the continued attacks on him by the prime minister.
"He should also explain that now Supreme Court has started investigation.... he should also explain why French president said that Narendra Modi the Prime Minister of India told him that Rafale contract will be given to Anil," he said.
To another question, Rahul Gandhi said, "I am perfectly happy for Mr. Modi to take any action he wants on me ....he is in charge right now but I would also like Mr. Narendra Modi to answer three of four questions ...why the contract was given to Anil Ambani."
"I am ready for an open debate with Prime Minister wherever he wants... I will come to the Race Course Road .. and I challenge him for a debate on corruption. I guarantee you that the day there is a debate on corruption he will not see eye to eye with people of the country and it would be 'Doodh ka doodh and Pani ka pani'(made clear) and that day it will be known that Chowkidar chor hai," the Congress president added.
The Congress has alleged massive irregularities in the Rafale deal. The government and the Anil Ambani-owned company have strongly rejected allegations of irregularities.
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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.
