Rahul Gandhi to visit Bengaluru on August 4 over alleged poll malpractice
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Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Wednesday said that Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will visit Bengaluru on August 4 to submit a memorandum to the State Election Commission over alleged election malpractices in a constituency in the state.
“Rahul Gandhi claims that election irregularities took place in Karnataka. In this context, he will submit a letter to the Election Commission. He will be arriving in Bengaluru on August 4. On that occasion, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) will organize several programs,” Parameshwara told reporters.
He said that one option under discussion is for Gandhi to address party workers at Freedom Park before heading to the State Election Commission to submit the memorandum. The final schedule is yet to be decided.
Parameshwara added that any program will be planned in line with the Karnataka High Court’s 2022 order banning processions in Bengaluru, making it unlikely that a rally will be held.
Parameshwara pointed out that Rahul Gandhi has openly alleged electoral malpractice in Karnataka. He said that several complaints have been filed on the issue by leaders from different parties and constituencies, though it is not possible to determine whether the allegations are true or false.
When asked about Gandhi mentioning a specific constituency, Parameshwara explained that the by-election related to only one segment, which is why Gandhi made the remark in that context.
Congress sources, however, said the party is considering a major event to draw national attention, especially ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. A padyatra or large rally is being discussed, with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and other senior leaders likely to join Gandhi.
According to party sources, evidence has been collected to show that voters from three Assembly segments in Bengaluru Central also voted in elections held in a neighboring state. They also allege that names of voters from a particular community were selectively removed from the electoral rolls.
Earlier, Gandhi had alleged, “The Election Commission of India is not doing its job. Now, we have concrete, 100 per cent proof of the poll panel allowing cheating in a seat in Karnataka. Thousands and thousands of new voters, aged 50 years, 45 years, 60 and 65 years are added. We have caught them. I want to send a message to the Election Commission: if you think you are going to get away with this, if your officers think they can get away, you are mistaken.”
Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar denied the allegations, stating that electoral rolls are prepared transparently, with copies shared with recognised parties. He said that no appeals were filed against alleged wrongful additions or deletions.
