Siddaramaiah demands HC Chief Justice monitored probe into 'voter data theft'
Bengaluru, Nov 18: The Congress on Friday demanded that the BJP government in Karnataka order a High Court Chief Justice monitored judicial probe to expose what it called 'Operation Voter' scam.
The opposition party on Thursday alleged "theft" of voter data in Bengaluru and breach of privacy.
An FIR has been registered against NGO 'Chilume Trust' and one of its employees.
The Congress alleged that the private agency was granted permission for house-to-house survey to create awareness among voters on filing online applications and charged it with collecting their personal data presenting themselves as booth-level officers (BLOs).
Siddaramaiah, leader of Opposition in the Assembly and former Chief Minister, sought to know "whether the BJP government is trying to save its corrupt ministers by framing an agent".
In a series of tweets, he charged the government with betraying people by allegedly "stealing the voter information and illegally collecting their personal data".
"Bengaluru police have registered a case against an agent named Lokesh, who just works with Chilume for a salary of Rs 20,000, in the #OperationVoter scam. Is this 40% @BSBommai Sarkara trying to save their corrupt ministers by making ordinary employee a scape goat?," Siddaramaiah asked.
He said, "We demand High Court Chief Justice monitored Judicial probe to expose the real culprits behind #OperationVoter scam. Why is the govt afraid of initiating a judicial probe? Why is @BSBommai in a hurry to brush the case off?"
"It is a blot on the democracy as BJP infringes upon the privacy of innocent people. @BSBommai & his cabinet should resign for cheating people," the Congress stalwart said.
The Congress has accused the government of being responsible for the "corrupt electoral practice" by assigning a private entity Chilume Trust to collect door-to-door voter information.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has dismissed the charges saying that the "Congress is bankrupt with ideas due to which it is making baseless charges without any proof".
We demand High Court Chief Justice monitored Judicial probe to expose the real culprits behind #OperationVoter scam.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) November 18, 2022
Why is the govt afraid of initiating a judicial probe?
Why is @BSBommai in a hurry to brush the case off?
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Lungi Ngidi fit to play against CSK
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel on Monday said Lungi Ngidi is set to return to action after recovering from the head injury he suffered in a home game against Punjab Kings on April 25.
Ngidi was stretchered off the field and rushed to a hospital after falling on his head while attempting a catch. The injury led to the South African pacer missing two games.
"Everyone is fit. Lungi is fit. He didn't play two games because of the criterion of six days' rest," said Munaf ahead of the game against Chennai Super Kings.
The bowling attack will be bolstered with the return of Ngidi. Mitchell Starc has also joined the team and made an instant impact in his first appearance of the season against Rajasthan Royals.
Against Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals were not able to defend 264 conceding a record run chase.
Starc's presence is bound to make a difference, said Munaf.
"When there is a wicket-taking bowler in the PowerPlay, the whole scenario changes. 220 or 230 is being chased because you are not able to take wickets in the PowerPlay.
"When the main bowler is there and takes a few wickets in the PowerPlay, it makes a big difference. Bowling in partnerships was missing, but that has been added now," said Munaf.
On David Miller missing out from the playing eleven in the last game, Munaf added: "You can only fit in four foreigners in the XI. Sahil was injured, so we needed an opener and we thought of giving Pathum another chance. We had to play two overseas fast bowlers. So only one between Pathum and Miller could play. We went with Pathum because an opener was required."
