Vijayan accuses Centre of adopting negative stand towards Kerala
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Kasaragod (Kerala) (PTI): Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday made a scathing attack against the Centre, accusing it of wanting to see the 'destruction' of the southern state and adopting a negative approach towards its efforts to survive during time of difficulties.
The state had to face several challenges in recent times including the worst flood of the century and the landslide tragedy that had rocked Wayanad, he said.
Unfortunately, the Centre, which has the responsibility to support the state and help it to survive, has provided no assistance at any stage, the CM alleged while inaugurating the fourth anniversary celebrations of the LDF government in this northernmost district.
"The Centre has adopted a completely negative approach in this matter. They even tried to block the assistance offered by others using their power," he alleged.
"Let Kerala shatter...shatter more. The union government was led by that destructive mindset," Vijayan further charged.
The Left veteran further said when the state suffered the massive deluge years ago, the entire world thought how it would survive the impacts of the natural disaster.
However, both the country and the world have got amused at the way the state survived it, he claimed.
"How could we survive like this? There is only one reason for this. The unity of our state and its people. It has become our strength to survive all difficulties and challenges," he said.
Though the Centre has wished for the "destruction" of Kerala and adopted a negative stand for the same, Kerala has not been shattered, Vijayan further said.
The same union government even had to give many awards to the state recognising it's achievements in various fields and acknowledging that it is number one in the country in those areas.
During his address, Vijayan also listed out various achievements of his government under its consecutive rules and development initiatives implemented it during the period.
He asked what would be the condition of Kerala if the LDF government had not come to power in 2016 and if it had not receive the people's mandate to continue in 2021 as well.
Over 4.5 lakh houses have been handed over to deserving beneficiaries under the government's ambitious LIFE Mission project, he said adding that four lakh title deeds have been distributed.
The arrears of welfare pension have been cleared and the amount has been enhanced, the CM further mentioned.
On national highway development, he said Kerala has now become a state which can equally boast of natural beauty and infrastructure development.
"There is only a picture of change and advancement everywhere in the state now," the Chief Minister added.
Besides Vijayan, various cabinet ministers were also present during the inauguration of the government's fourth anniversary celebrations.
The government, earlier, announced that its fourth anniversary would be celebrated from April 21 to May 23, with district- and state-level events.
However, opposition UDF boycotted the event alleging extravaganza at a time when the state is reeling under acute financial crunch.
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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.
