Voters swayed by money, liquor, gifts will be reborn as animals: Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA
Indore (PTI): BJP MLA and former Madhya Pradesh minister Usha Thakur has slammed those voting on the basis of money, liquor and gifts and asserted that such persons who sell democracy will be reborn as camels, sheep, goats, dogs and cats.
A video of her purported remarks, made at a meeting on Wednesday in Hasalpur village in her Mhow assembly constituency, went viral on social media, prompting the opposition Congress to slam the MLA for her “conservative thinking”.
“Thousands of rupees come into the accounts of every beneficiary through so many schemes of the BJP government, like Ladli Behna Yojana and Kisan Samman Nidhi. Even after that, if votes are sold for 1,000-500 (rupees), then it is a matter of shame for humans,” she said while urging people to protect democracy.
Referring to the secrecy of one’s ballot, Thakur said God was watching, adding that “do not lose your integrity while casting your vote”.
“Those who became neutral after taking money, saree, glass, and liquor, write it down in your diary that they are definitely going to become camels, sheep, goats, dogs and cats in the next birth. Those who will sell democracy are going to become these only. Write this down. I have a direct conversation with God, believe me,” she said.
Thakur, who has been in the news earlier for such statements, asserted that one must only vote for the BJP, which serves the nation, religion and culture.
Asked about these remarks, Thakur told PTI she was trying to spread awareness among rural voters.
“Democracy is our life. The government runs many schemes to improve the lives of people as per the provisions of the Constitution. It serves the public all 12 months of the year. In such a situation, if a person sells his vote for money, liquor or other material in any situation during elections, then it is an unpardonable crime,” the MLA opined.
“We get the next life on the basis of our deeds. If our deeds are bad, then we will not be reborn as humans,” she said defending her remarks.
MP Congress spokesperson Mrinal Pant said Thakur's statement not only shows her “conservative thinking” but also points towards the internal tussle among BJP leaders in Mhow.
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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.
