Siddaramaiah terms BJP's remark of untoward incidents on Jan 22 'threat and provocation'
Bengaluru (PTI): Ahead of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday directed police department to be on the alert and slammed BJP state president's B Y Vijayendra's remark that the Congress government in Karnataka will be responsible for untoward incidents contains "threat and provocation".
"In the backdrop of the Ram temple event, I have instructed the police to take preventive measures to ensure that no untoward incidents occur in the state and to maintain peace and order," Siddaramaiah said in a statement.
He said it has come to his attention that some miscreants are spreading false news and provoking innocent people.
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Upon hearing such news, one should not panic or get agitated but should immediately inform the nearest police station. Under no circumstances should anyone take the law into their own hands, Siddaramaiah appealed to people.
"BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra has stated that if any unfortunate incident occurs in the state, the Congress government will be held responsible. His statement seems to contain more of a threat and provocation than an intention to maintain peace," the chief minister said.
While demanding government holiday on January 22, Vijayendra on Saturday said security should be beefed up as there are possibilities of untoward incidents that can disturb peace in the society.
A few days ago Congress leader B K Hariprasad too had expressed his apprehension that a "Godhra like situation" can be created in Karnataka too and urged the state government to tighten security.
Siddaramaiah stressed that the government was aware of its duties. If something goes wrong, the law will take its course, he added.
"The state government has noticed that some BJP legislators and MPs are already making provocative statements. If BJP state president takes strict action against such individuals, it would ease the government's task of maintaining law and order," the Chief Minister noted.
God, religion, worship, and devotion are all personal matters, Siddaramaiah said adding that if these are kept personal, it will bring respect to God and religion, and welfare to the society.
This applies to all followers of all religions, he noted.
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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.
