Karnataka CM Accuses Election Commission of Colluding with BJP in Vote Theft
Karnatakas CM DK Shivakumar claims the Election Commission is complicit with BJP in vote theft, demanding its dissolution and reform of voter lists.
Bengaluru, September 26 (Daily Kiran) : Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has leveled serious allegations against the Election Commission, claiming it is complicit with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in what he describes as “vote theft.” Speaking at a protest organized by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee in Freedom Park, Bengaluru, on Saturday, Shivakumar called for the dissolution of the Election Commission and the cancellation of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
Shivakumar accused the Election Commission of becoming a “puppet” of the BJP, targeting poor voters and those who criticize the administration. He stated, “The Election Commission has become a partner in vote theft alongside the BJP.” He urged the President to intervene and demanded the arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with the annulment of what he termed illegal elections.
The Chief Minister criticized the Commission for misusing its constitutional autonomy, remarking, “You are not the Chief Election Commissioner, but the Chief Selection Commissioner.” He insisted that the central government should convene Parliament to discuss this issue urgently, asserting that “this obsession with power will not last forever.” Shivakumar also called for the cancellation of the current SIR process and the initiation of a new revision procedure.
He referenced reports of internal disagreements within the Election Commission, suggesting that members appointed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi acted against their conscience, opposing decisions made by the Chief Election Commissioner. This, he argued, reflects a dissent regarding the Commissioner’s decisions.
According to Shivakumar, Karnataka’s population is approximately 70 million, with 55.4 million registered voters. He claimed that due to the SIR process, this number has dropped to 44.6 million, with notices sent to 3-4 million individuals. He emphasized that the right to vote is a fundamental right for every individual, stating, “Voting is the greatest opportunity granted to citizens through our constitutional democratic framework. We will not allow this right to be taken away.”
Shivakumar also pointed to the Bengaluru Central Lok Sabha constituency, where, according to the Election Commission, Congress candidate Mansoor Khan lost by a margin of 31,000 votes. He questioned BJP leaders about the alleged reduction of 1.2 million votes through the SIR process, claiming that 300,000 votes have gone missing in Mahadevapura and that there has been misuse of 1.2 million votes.
