CM Siddaramaiah expresses regrets for referring to President Murmu in singular
Bengaluru, Jan 29: Expressing regrets for referring to President Droupadi Murmu in the singular, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while admitting it as a gaffe on his part, said he has immense respect for her as she also comes from oppressed classes like him.
He was referring to his remark at a state-level convention of the oppressed communities organised by the Federation of Associations of Oppressed Communities and Federation of Karnataka Backward Classes' on Sunday, which had come under sharp criticism by the opposition BJP and JD(S).
JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, demanded Siddaramaiah's dismissal from the Chief Minister's post for addressing the President in the singular.
Union Minister and senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi said Siddaramaiah has again proven that he has utmost disregard for the Constitution and those who represent it, holding supreme positions.
ALSO READ: Row over removal of saffron flag: CM accuses BJP & JD(S) of instigating people with eye on polls
Siddaramaiah, in a post on 'X', said he was deeply hurt and angered as the President was not invited for the inaugural ceremony of the new Parliament building by the BJP leaders, "only because she belongs to Dalit community".
"While speaking at the convention, I became a bit emotional and while expressing outrage, I addressed her in the singular as a slip of the tongue," he clarified.
Further noting that it is a practice to address parents and elders in the singular, in rural areas, from where he also comes, the Chief Minister said, "I have immense respect for the honourable President, as she also comes from oppressed classes like me. She should not have been addressed in the singular. I express my regrets for this gaffe."
Hitting out at the CM in a series of posts on 'X', along with the clipping of his speech addressing the President in the singular, Kumaraswamy said Siddaramaiah does not deserve to be in the Chief Minister's post even for a moment. He should immediately resign taking moral responsibility or the Governor should remove him from the post.
Joshi said on 'X': "Dear Siddaramaiah, I seriously don't understand what's gotten into you and your party! You have time and again proven that you have utmost disregard for the Constitution and those who represent it, holding supreme positions."
Addressing the President and that too a woman in the singular is extremely disgraceful, he said. "This coming from a law student like you is even more shocking and disappointing. Either education has escaped you or you are becoming senile. I wonder which it is! Neither age nor experience are reflected in your words and actions!'".
ದಲಿತ ಸಮುದಾಯಕ್ಕೆ ಸೇರಿದವರು ಎಂಬ ಕಾರಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಪತಿಗಳಾಗಿರುವ ದ್ರೌಪದಿ ಮುರ್ಮು ಅವರಿಗೆ
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) January 28, 2024
ಸಂಸತ್ ಭವನ ಉದ್ಘಾಟನೆಗೆ ಆಹ್ವಾನ ನೀಡದೆ @BJP4India ನಾಯಕರು ಅವಮಾನಿಸಿರುವುದು ನನಗೆ ತೀವ್ರ ನೋವು ಉಂಟುಮಾಡಿದ್ದು ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲ ನನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಆಕ್ರೋಶ ಹುಟ್ಟಿಸಿತ್ತು.
ಶೋಷಿತರ ಜಾಗೃತಿ ಸಮಾವೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಭಾವುಕನಾಗಿ ಈ ಆಕ್ರೋಶವನ್ನು…
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Won't contest bypolls until EC prevents fake voting: Mayawati
Lucknow (PTI): BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday alleged irregularities in voting in the recent Uttar Pradesh bypolls and said her party will not contest by-elections in future, particularly in the state, "until Election Commission takes measures to prevent fake voting".
By-elections to nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh were held on November 20 and results of it were declared on Saturday. Bahujan Samaj Party contested all nine seats but failed to win any.
"In the bypolls held for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, there is widespread discussion about the votes cast and the results announced yesterday. I am not saying this myself; it is a common perception among people that earlier, during elections conducted with ballot papers, fake votes were cast by misusing the system, often through fraud," Mayawati said in a press conference here.
"Now, similar practices are being carried out using EVMs, which is a matter of deep sorrow and concern for democracy," the former UP chief minister said.
Not only this, but these activities are now being executed more openly, especially during by-elections, as opposed to general elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, she claimed.
"We recently witnessed this in the Uttar Pradesh bypolls. Similar concerns have also been raised regarding the recent general elections in Maharashtra. This is a major warning bell for democracy in our country," she said.
"Given this situation, our party has decided that until the Election Commission of India takes strict measures to prevent fake voting, we will not participate in any by-elections across the country, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. I am specifically referring to by-elections here," Mayawati said.
As far as general elections are concerned, she continued, there is a somewhat better safeguard because the fear of power changing hands makes the ruling party more cautious.
"In general elections, it is not guaranteed that the party in power will return to power and another party may take over. This fear keeps the government machinery somewhat restrained," she added.
Considering all these factors, our party will contest general elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies with full preparation and strength, Mayawati stressed.
In the bypolls, the BJP and its ally RLD together won seven seats while Samajwadi Party candidates emerged victorious on two.
