Kumaraswamy hits back at Modi, accuses him of using soldiers patriotism for gain
Bengaluru, Apr 12: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using the patriotism of soldiers for his gain, saying he has no development issues to talk about during the campaign.
"Despite clarifying on the false post by @BJP4Karnataka, PM @narendramodi still gets carried away by wrong inputs of state leaders.
The PM is using the patriotism of soldiers for his gain. He rides on such emotional waves because there are no development issues to talk about," Kumaraswamy tweeted.
The Chief Minister was reacting to Modi's comments at a BJP rally in Gangavathi, where he lashed out at Kumaraswamy over his reported remark that only those who cannot manage two square meals a day seek jobs in services, terming it an insult to the armed forces.
"I was seeing in the media yesterday that Karnataka Chief Minister has said that only those people go to army who don't get food two times a day.
What kind of thinking is thisKumaraswamy ji? You cannot escape by saying that your statement has been wrongly interpreted. You have said what is in your heart," Modi said.
"...is it not an insult to our brave soldiers and armed forces...will you seek vote on this?Those who serve the country and ready to sacrifice for it facing all odds...such words for them, such thinking.
Doob maro doob maro (die drowning),those who insult the country's army," the prime minister said.
On Thursday, Karnataka BJP had tweeted the video of Kumaraswamy's speech and said "People who don't have food to eat join Defence: @hd_kumaraswamy Kumaraswamy avare, people join Defence forces due to the love they have for Nation.
Why don't you send your Son to serve in army instead of contesting for MP seat.
You may then know what it needs to be a soldier."
Responding to it, the Chief Minister had termed it as an edited video.
"#BJP is upto their old tricks again. They posted another edited video with false interpretation to malign me.
I had said that not all who join defence forces are rich.
The PM shuld not play with d lives of jawans to get votes. I never said tat jawans are in the army just for livelihood," he had tweeted on Thursday.
Kumaraswamy's tweet Friday, reacting to the Prime Minister's criticism, contained a lengthy video of his speech than the one tweeted by the BJP.
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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.
