Did Karnataka BJP Justify Criticism of Shivakumar Against Amit Shah?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka BJP criticized D.K. Shivakumar for his remarks against Amit Shah.
- Video evidence from G. Parameshwara suggests past practices of direct voting.
- Political tensions are high regarding allegations of electoral fraud.
- R. Ashoka emphasized Congress's historical issues with electoral integrity.
- Debates like this highlight the significance of historical context in current politics.
Belagavi, Dec 11 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP has criticized Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for his remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who suggested that former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi were implicated in electoral fraud.
The party circulated a video featuring Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, in which he claims that prior to the introduction of EVMs, some leaders would be present at polling stations and cast votes personally.
In response to Amit Shah's assertion, Deputy CM Shivakumar remarked, "Amit Shah should possess basic common sense. During their era, only ballot papers were utilized; how could vote theft occur in such a system?"
The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, took to social media platform X, stating, "Perhaps Shivakumar needs to grasp some fundamental facts about his own party's history before advising the Union Home Minister."
Ashoka highlighted that his senior colleague, former Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President and Home Minister G. Parameshwara, had revealed the truth in a recorded address to Congress workers.
In the video, Parameshwara declared, "There were no EVMs back then... only ballot papers. Two or three individuals would be present to complete the voting process."
Ashoka further emphasized, "Before lecturing about 'vote theft', perhaps he should remember how Congress mastered the practices of booth capturing and ballot stuffing long before the existence of EVMs."
He also accused Congress of having a notorious reputation: ballot box stuffing, booth capturing, fictitious voters, bogus counting, and openly admitting to such practices.
Ashoka asserted that this is not merely a BJP accusation - it is Congress's own Home Minister confessing on record.
"Instead of challenging Amit Shah, Shivakumar ought to inquire with his superiors about Congress's history of Vote Theft," he stated.
The controversial video of Parameshwara emerged several months ago, and he has since denied the allegations.