BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya Calls for Probe into Alleged Vote Buying in Karnataka Elections

Bengaluru, August 13 (PTI): BJP Rajya Sabha member Lahar Singh Siroya has called on the Election Commission to consider former Union Minister C M Ibrahim's reported claims regarding the purchase of votes in the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections, aimed at securing Siddaramaiah's victory from the Badami constituency.

In a letter addressed to the ECI on Tuesday, Siroya highlighted Ibrahim's statement that he, along with senior Congress leader B B Chimankatti, facilitated the purchase of 3,000 votes in 2018 to ensure Siddaramaiah's win from Badami. Ibrahim was said to be Siddaramaiah's long-time associate and advisor.

Siddaramaiah has reportedly refuted these allegations attributed to Ibrahim.

In a post on 'X', Siroya remarked, "In the final tally, Shri Siddaramaiah's victory margin in Badami was only 1,696 votes. A narrow victory margin for a sitting chief minister. The NOTA votes, totaling 2,007, exceeded his victory margin."

Siroya urged Ibrahim to disclose how the 3,000 votes were purchased and from whom. Ibrahim allegedly claimed that Siddaramaiah financed the vote purchase but delayed payment by six months.

"The #ECI should take note of such significant electoral corruption from someone who has served as a lawmaker and union minister, and initiate an investigation," Siroya emphasized. He recalled the contest between Siddaramaiah and BJP candidate B Sriramulu in Badami.

"Perhaps Sriramulu also possesses some information or insight regarding the vote purchase. If he speaks, it might shed light on the events of 2018 when he contested from two seats and could have potentially won both, had this alleged vote purchase not occurred," Siroya added.

Siroya also cast doubt on Siddaramaiah's close-call victory in the 2006 Chamundeshwari by-election. "With Ibrahim revealing details about Siddaramaiah's victory in Badami, he should also disclose facts about the narrow victory in the 2006 by-election from the Chamundeshwari constituency when he was Siddaramaiah’s friend and strategist," Siroya mentioned.

Siroya further noted that in 2006, Siddaramaiah's first election after joining the Congress resulted in a victory margin of just 257 votes. "Were votes purchased back then as well? The Congress was in power in Delhi; did they engineer Siddaramaiah's victory? Who were the officers overseeing that election?" he questioned.

Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Siroya said, "By visiting Bengaluru recently and making unfounded allegations about electoral rolls, @RahulGandhi has inadvertently stirred controversy, impacting his party men, including his CM, more than anyone else. We owe Rahul Gandhi gratitude for destabilizing his own government."

Expressing further criticism, Siroya noted, "Rahul is infamous for his missteps, and this one is significant." He commented on the dismissal of K N Rajanna as Cooperation Minister, stating, "K N Rajanna's undemocratic removal after contradicting Shri. Rahul Gandhi marks the beginning of Congress' decline in Karnataka."

K N Rajanna was dismissed as Cooperation Minister on Monday following his comments blaming the Congress government for issues related to bogus voting in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

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