Is Rahul Gandhi's Allegation of Election Fraud Just a Damp Squib?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Election integrity is under scrutiny in Karnataka.
- BJP leaders deny any involvement in voter fraud.
- Congress holds responsibility for monitoring voter registration.
- Past allegations against Congress highlight ongoing tensions.
- Political accountability is crucial as elections approach.
Bengaluru, Aug 8 (NationPress) BJP leader R. Ashoka criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his assertions of election fraud, labeling the claims as a damp squib.
During a press briefing in Bengaluru, Ashoka, the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, stated: "There is no involvement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP officials in the creation of the voter list. Consequently, Rahul Gandhi's allegations are merely a damp squib."
He noted that during the recent Lok Sabha elections, Congress designated Booth Level Agents (BLAs). The initial copy of the voter list was provided to the BLA appointed by KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar. It is the BLA's duty to eliminate names of deceased voters and introduce new eligible voters. "If that’s the case, has Congress not committed any errors?" he posed.
"If D.K. Shivakumar had possession of the voter list, why were no complaints voiced regarding any discrepancies at that juncture?" Ashoka queried.
He pointed out that in various states, Congress leaders faced arrest for generating bogus votes. In one modest residence in Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, 18 Muslim voters are registered. How can so many voters reside at the same address? Whenever they face defeat, Congress blames the Election Commission," he remarked.
According to Ashoka, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections occurred just a year following the 2023 Assembly elections, resulting in the registration of some new voters during that interval. He claimed, "I received 57,000 votes in Padmanabhanagar. I was expected to receive 20,000 more, but Muslims were transported from other regions and registered here."
He questioned, "How can malpractice occur when the entire system is under Congress governance?"
The BJP leader alleged that during Congress's past tenure at the Centre, bogus voting was rampant, and ballot boxes were reportedly stolen.
He recalled, "Indira Gandhi once won an election through malpractice and was subsequently disqualified. Such a scenario hasn’t transpired for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Gandhi family has a notorious legacy of electoral misconduct, consistently winning elections through unlawful means," Ashoka alleged.