Did Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Justify Allegations Against Rahul Gandhi and CM Siddaramaiah?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Pralhad Joshi firmly rebuts allegations from Congress leaders.
- The Congress party is criticized for doubting its own governance.
- Joshi highlights inconsistencies in Congress's stance on election integrity.
- The ongoing political discourse in Karnataka raises important questions about accountability.
- Public perception of the Election Commission is impacted by these allegations.
Bengaluru, July 25 (NationPress) In response to allegations made by Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding irregularities during the Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi fired back at the Congress party. He emphasized that it was the Congress that held power during the LS polls in Karnataka, and now they are questioning their own administration.
Pralhad Joshi, addressing the matter in New Delhi, stated, "The Congress, unable to accept its electoral loss, has begun to doubt everyone and everything around them."
He further noted, "During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Siddaramaiah’s government was in charge of the state. The officials in critical positions within the Election Commission—including District Collectors, Sub-Divisional Officers, and Tahsildars—were appointed by them. Now, they are casting suspicion on those they appointed themselves," in response to CM Siddaramaiah’s comments.
Joshi also pointed out the inconsistency in Siddaramaiah’s statements: "In the 2023 Assembly elections, Congress secured a win. At that point, the Election Commission and EVMs were deemed to be functioning effectively. However, now that they have secured fewer seats in the Lok Sabha elections, they suddenly allege irregularities?"
He noted, "Even when the BJP was in power in Karnataka during the 2023 Assembly elections, Congress still managed to win. There were no questions raised about the Election Commission, EVMs, or the voters' list then. Now, after a slight loss in the Lok Sabha polls, they are making unfounded accusations. Is this the behavior expected from Congress leaders?"
Joshi highlighted that the statements made by Rahul Gandhi, CM Siddaramaiah, and other Congress leaders are full of contradictions. He recalled that Rahul Gandhi had previously written a letter concerning electoral roll manipulation and that a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) had been initiated nationally following the Maharashtra elections. "Now they are even protesting against that," he remarked.
"In the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, Congress was victorious. At that time, everything was acceptable to Rahul Gandhi. But now, after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he questions the Election Commission and EVMs. The state was under your party’s control during these elections—go ask CM Siddaramaiah about it," Joshi concluded, directly addressing Rahul Gandhi.