Karnataka Congress asks ticket aspirants for 2023 assembly polls to apply
Bengaluru, Nov 2: With just months to go for the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka, the state Congress on Wednesday announced the process for poll tickets, by asking aspirants to apply for it through submission of an application, along with Rs 2 lakh Demand Draft (DD) and details of their membership.
Also claiming that many, including leaders from other parties are willing to join it, the Congress also announced that it has also re-launched its membership drive and that anyone can apply. However, the party pointed out that the applications will be scrutinised by a special committee, which will decide on their induction.
"Congress is preparing for the upcoming assembly elections, all the preparations are on. For those who desire to contest from the Congress party, we are inviting applications, those interested can take the application and submit it between November 5-15 at the Congress office," state Congress President D K Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the application fee is Rs 5,000, and the general category applicants will have to attach Rs 2 lakh DD and membership details, along with the application while submitting, for SC/ST applicants there will be 50 per cent concession and they will have to attach Rs 1 lakh DD.
"Those who want to contest the 2023 assembly polls from our party and desire a ticket, including the sitting legislators, they will have to apply," he added.
Assembly elections in Karnataka are likely by April 2023, and the Congress which is aiming to dislodge the BJP and come back to power, has set a target of winning at least 150 of the total 224 seats.
Stating that many are in touch with him with a wish to join the Congress and have requested him to restart the membership drive, the KPCC chief said online membership has been opened.
Not willing to reveal any names, he said some political leaders also want to join the party and are in touch with him.
"This is an opportunity for all of them, who want to join the Congress by accepting its principles, ideals and leadership. They all can apply and the committee that is there under the leadership of senior Congressman Allam Veerabhandrappa will scrutinise and decide on giving membership," he said, adding that there are no restrictions on anyone who wants to apply.
Responding to a question, whether those who had defected from the party in 2019 can apply for membership, as the Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah had categorically said that they will not be taken back, Shivakumar said, "I'm talking as a President, after consulting everyone...we are open with this, anyone can apply, the committee will ultimately decide."
To a question about Rs 2 lakh DD, he said: "We will require money for the party activities, to build our building, election campaign, advertisement, media ads...we are not getting electoral bonds, they only go for BJP. So, we will have to collect money from party workers."
Shivakumar also said that newly-elected AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge will be visiting Karnataka for the first time, after taking charge on November 6, and the KPCC will be organising a "Sarvodaya Samavesha", a large convention that day at the palace grounds here, to accord him a grand welcome.
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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.
