Bengaluru, Aug 12 (NationPress) In response to the dismissal of Minister K.N. Rajanna, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh Siroya remarked on the recent trip of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to Karnataka, saying, "We should thank Rahul Gandhi for visiting Bengaluru because what he has ultimately done is destabilize his own government."

In a statement released on Tuesday, Siroya noted, "LoP Rahul Gandhi's recent trip to Bengaluru and his sweeping claims regarding electoral rolls have opened a Pandora's box. His party members, including the Chief Minister, are more affected than anyone else."

"We should thank Rahul Gandhi for his Bengaluru visit because he has effectively destabilized his own government. The undemocratic removal of Co-operation Minister K.N. Rajanna for contradicting him marks the onset of Congress's decline in Karnataka," he emphasized.

He also highlighted, "C.M. Ibrahim, a former union minister and a long-time ally of Siddaramaiah, has made a startling allegation. He claims that he, along with senior Congress figure B.B. Chimmanakatti, facilitated the purchase of 3,000 votes in 2018 to ensure Siddaramaiah's survival in the Assembly election from the Badami seat. Ultimately, Siddaramaiah won by a mere 1,696 votes, a humiliating margin for a sitting chief minister. Even the NOTA votes, totaling 2007, surpassed his victory margin."

"Ibrahim was a key player in the Congress during 2018, and by all accounts, he was responsible for his friend's election. It would be beneficial if he could reveal how and from whom he procured the 3,000 votes to assist his friend. He has also indicated that Siddaramaiah funded this purchase, but it took him six months to complete the payment. The Election Commission of India (ECI) should take note of this serious claim of electoral misconduct from someone who has held a position as a lawmaker and union minister, and mandate an investigation," Siroya stated.

"The individual who lost to Siddaramaiah in Badami in 2018 was Sriramulu from my party. Perhaps he possesses insights and information regarding the acquisition of those 3,000 votes. If he speaks out, we could learn more about the events of 2018 when he contested from two seats and would have likely won both had this vote-buying not occurred," he asserted.

"Now that Ibrahim has brought up Siddaramaiah's narrow win in Badami in 2018, he should also address the 2006 bye-election of Siddaramaiah from the Chamundeshwari constituency. At that time, he was also Siddaramaiah's close associate and strategist. This was Siddaramaiah's first election after joining Congress, and his victory margin was only 257 votes. Were votes purchased then as well? The Congress was in power in Delhi. Did they manipulate the election to secure Siddaramaiah's victory then? Who were the officials in charge of that election?" he questioned.