BJP’s voter fraud must be exposed to the public: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has said that the Congress party is determined to bring the BJP’s alleged voter fraud to public attention. Speaking to the media after the Quantum Summit held at a hotel in Manyata Tech Park, Shivakumar stated that a final decision on whether to organise a protest rally or meeting would be taken at a meeting of the party’s general secretaries.
“Our intention is to ensure the public becomes aware of the BJP’s manipulation of the electoral process. The Election Commission has been misused to commit electoral malpractice not only in Karnataka but across the country. The party has conducted its own research on this issue,” he said. However, he noted that any decision regarding the form of the protest would have to take into account court directives and government guidelines related to public gatherings.
Responding to criticism about holding the protest within city limits, Shivakumar said, “Why should others be so concerned about our political stance? We are accountable only to the people of Karnataka, not to anyone else. During the Assembly elections, the BJP used the Chilume Trust to commit electoral fraud. Our leaders speak on this issue based on proper investigation. Rahul Gandhi is not visiting the state for political mileage but to alert the public. We want to safeguard democracy and prevent the Election Commission from functioning like a wing of a political party.”
Open welcome to IT firms from Maharashtra
Shivakumar also extended an open invitation to IT companies from Maharashtra looking to relocate to Karnataka. “We welcome IT firms migrating from Maharashtra and are ready to provide them with all necessary infrastructure including technology support and electricity,” he said.
Referring to a recent statement by the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister about companies shifting from Pune to Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, “I thank him for his acknowledgment. We are not in competition with other Indian states — our goal is to compete globally.”
He acknowledged the strength of Maharashtra’s IT sector, particularly Pune’s Hinjewadi hub, but reiterated Karnataka’s commitment to supporting incoming companies.
No knowledge of honey trap investigation
When asked about the CID report claiming a lack of evidence in the honeytrap case involving politician Rajanna, Shivakumar distanced himself from the issue. “I have no connection to the case. I don’t know who filed the complaint or how the investigation progressed. I am hearing about it only from you [media],” he said.
No comment on KMF leadership issue
Asked about the leadership tussle in the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), Shivakumar declined to comment, calling it a matter for the federation’s office-bearers.
Jewellery store inauguration
Speaking after inaugurating a jewellery showroom in the city, the Deputy Chief Minister expressed his personal connection with the store’s owners. “This family has been close to me for many years. I have inaugurated their 20th outlet today, and I hope they expand to 200 in the future. Though they are originally from Udupi, their stores have flourished in Bengaluru. It is our duty to support such local entrepreneurs,” he said.
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One person taken into custody after woman found dead in Himachal forest
Nahan (HP) (PTI): A suspect has been taken into custody after a woman's partially burnt body was found in a forest near a police battalion camp in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmour district, police said.
The body of the woman, who is stated to be in her late 30s, was spotted in the dense forest of the Karaunde Wali Ghati area near Dhaula Kuan by locals on Wednesday morning. The identity of the deceased has not yet been established.
The accused in the case was taken into custody at Bata Bridge in Paonta Sahib on Wednesday evening following scanning of the CCTV footage of the area coupled with inputs from Haryana Police, police said.
According to police, the accused is a resident of Barara town in Ambala district of Haryana. A case of kidnapping has already been registered against him in Ambala.
Sirmour District Superintendent of Police Nischint Singh Negi said one person has been taken into custody following contact with Haryana Police.
Postmortem examination of the woman is scheduled to be conducted on Thursday at the Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Government Medical College at Nahan.
Police are currently investigating whether the woman was murdered in Barara itself, and if her body was subsequently dumped in the Paonta forest and set on fire.
