How did Congress win the Karnataka Assembly elections, Pralhad Joshi questions Rahul?

Bengaluru, Aug 7 (NationPress) In response to allegations from the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, questioned how the Congress party managed to secure victory in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections before making accusations against the Election Commission of India.

While addressing the media in Delhi on Thursday, Joshi remarked: “If there were issues with EVMs and the Election Commission during the Lok Sabha elections as claimed, then it stands to reason that the same EVMs and the same Commission were utilized during the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections. So, how did the Congress emerge victorious?”

He continued: “The claims made by Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party lack logic. They had also won elections in 2020 under the same Commission. If irregularities were present, why were no complaints filed until now? Where are the records? This seems like a tactic to placate a specific group.”

Joshi highlighted that the former Lok Sabha Speaker, Balaram Jakhar, had already determined that Parliament cannot engage in discussions regarding the Election Commission’s operations.

“Additionally, the subject is currently under judicial review in the Supreme Court. Numerous past investigations (SIRs) have been conducted. Still, the Congress is attempting to fabricate unnecessary confusion,” he alleged.

He further stated: “In 2023, both the central and state governments were administered by the BJP. Yet, the Congress secured a majority in Karnataka. At that time, the EVMs and the Election Commission were deemed reliable. But now that the BJP has gained more seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, are the EVMs suddenly untrustworthy? How does that align?”

“You succeeded in the Karnataka Assembly elections. However, you did not win the Lok Sabha there. In Maharashtra, you did not secure victories in either the Assembly or Parliament. What message are you conveying to the world? Are you suggesting that elections in India are not conducted fairly?” Joshi questioned.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi’s statements made at international gatherings, Joshi remarked: “You travel abroad to criticize India's institutions. If electoral fraud is genuine, how did your party triumph in Jharkhand? How did you achieve victory in Jammu and Kashmir? Please apply some reasoning. The populace of India is astute, which is why they have relegated your party to the Opposition and granted you power in only three states.”

Minister Joshi also addressed the topic of U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggested tariff increases, stating, “Adjustments in tariffs alone will not undermine India’s diplomatic relationships. India’s global reputation is well-established. More than 190 nations are in support of India.”

He asserted that international relations cannot be questioned based solely on trade policies like tariffs. “India is now recognized as the world’s fourth-largest economy and is respected globally,” Joshi concluded.

Meanwhile, State BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra criticized, "Was this the 'Atom Bomb' evidence Rahul Gandhi claimed? What he presented was merely a demonstration of ignorance regarding how electoral rolls are compiled, alongside a deliberate attempt to misrepresent facts and lament after defeat."

"Let us remind Mr. Gandhi of a fundamental truth. Bangalore Central has been a BJP stronghold since its establishment post-delimitation in 2009. The voters in this constituency have continually opted for development, stability, and leadership, not divisive politics or a sense of entitlement," he pointed out.

"So Mr. Gandhi, please acknowledge and accept the reality. The voters of Karnataka have once again turned their backs on you and your party. Do not attempt to attribute your political failures to fraud. And above all, do not insult the voters of Karnataka with such baseless claims," he stated.