VHP plans nationwide programme to drum up support for a bill on Ram temple
New Delhi, Nov 6: The VHP will hold public meetings in all Lok Sabha constituencies and ask MPs to support the passage of a bill in Parliament for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, as its working president Alok Kumar expressed confidence Tuesday that the Centre will bring a legislation in the winter session.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), an RSS affiliate, is seeking to build a tempo in favour of the temple's construction with a series of nationwide programmes which, he hoped, will generate enough pressure in the present atmosphere on parties like the Congress to not oppose the bill.
Referring to the Congress's "janeu dhari" (one who wears sacred thread) president Rahul Gnadhi's temple visits, he wondered how his party will oppose the construction of Ram temple.
Kumar told PTI that his organisation was confident that the Narendra Modi government will bring such a bill in Parliament's winter session, saying it is a dispensation of 'Ram bhakt' (devotees of Ram).
With Lok Sabha elections less than six months away, political observers believe that the RSS -- whose chief Mohan Bhagwat's demand for a law has generated a storm of support, including from many Union ministers -- and the BJP will use the key Hindutva plank to build a narrative in its favour.
Though neither the government nor the BJP has made their stand clear on the demand of Hindutva groups for a law to pave the way for the temple's construction, ministers and other party leaders have been speaking in its favour.
The momentum generated by the debate will suit it politically, the BJP believes, more so as Hindutva credentials of Modi as well as its president Amit Shah are seen to be impeccable.
This is a government of 'Ram bhakt' (devotees of Ram) and its members have been their companions in the struggle to build the temple, Kumar said, adding that they had no doubt about its intention.
"We are looking forward to the government bringing a bill in the winter session," he said.
VHP delegations led by saints will also meet governors of states to urge them to convey to the Centre about the "popular" wish to construct the temple.
The organisation will hold a public meeting in all 543 Lok Sabha constituencies by December 15, he said, and will meet the respective member of Parliament.
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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.
