PM Modi RSS' puppet: H D Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, Oct 5: JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said the BJP governments at both the Centre and in Karnataka were functioning on the directions of the RSS, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was its "puppet".
"I'm observing the developments in national politics. Whether it is the central government or the government in our state, they are not the governments of elected representatives. These governments are functioning on the directions of the RSS," Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to reporters near here, he alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is functioning as an RSS puppet and not independently.
"This is not the BJP government, this is the RSS' government. It is not even Narendra Modi's government....", he added.
Stating that he was keenly analysing developments and reading certain books, the former Chief Minister alleged that a conspiracy was on to push this country back to the situation it was in over a hundred years ago.
Referring to a book on RSS that he is reading, he said the Sangh has never discussed about the development of the country and eradication of poverty so far at its Baithaks and their only agenda was 'taking control of this country."
He also cautioned youth of the country against getting influenced by the "hidden agenda" of the RSS.
Once again referring to the book, Kumaraswamy alleged that RSS, as part of its hidden agenda, has created a team of bureaucrats in this country, who are now placed at various institutions.
"In that book, it is said that about 4,000 civil servants in this country- IAS, IPS officers- are RSS karyakartas. They are trained to write exams. In one year, in 2016 alone, 676 people trained by them got selected," he claimed.
"Manusmriti is their (RSS/BJP) main agenda, they speak about Hindutva. Even we are Hindus, it is no one's jagir... welfare of the needy should be the main goal of those in power, not Hindutva," he added.
The JD(S) leader also said that the state government, instead of bringing in a law against religious conversion, should focus on implementing its welfare schemes in such a way that it reaches the last person who is deprived of facilities.
"If the government does this, such things (conversions) will not happen."
He said BJP is repeatedly raising the issue of religious conversion as they want it for their benefit.
Questioning the need for Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to go to Keshava Krupa, RSS Karnataka headquarters here, after assuming charge, Kumaraswamy said, "6.5 crore people of the state have voted (for) you... why do you function under the direction of Keshava Krupa?"
Hitting out at the Congress, he accused the party of having contributed a major part for the growth of RSS and BJP in the state and the country.
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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.
