BJP's Lahar Singh Siroya Urges EC Probe on Vote-Buying Claims in 2018 Karnataka Elections

Bengaluru, Aug 13 (PTI) — BJP Rajya Sabha member Lahar Singh Siroya has called on the Election Commission to scrutinize remarks by former Union Minister C M Ibrahim regarding alleged vote-buying in the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections, aimed at securing a win for Siddaramaiah from the Badami constituency.

In a letter to the ECI on Tuesday, Siroya highlighted that Ibrahim, once a close ally and advisor to Siddaramaiah, reportedly stated he, alongside senior Congress leader B B Chimankatti, was involved in purchasing 3,000 votes in 2018 to ensure Siddaramaiah's victory from Badami.

In a post on 'X,' Siroya remarked, "Ultimately, Shri Siddaramaiah's win in Badami was by a slim margin of merely 1696 votes. For a sitting chief minister, this was a poor margin. The NOTA votes, which totaled 2007, exceeded his victory margin." Siroya urged Ibrahim, who was a "prominent Congress leader in 2018 and actively involved in his friend's campaign," to divulge the specifics of the alleged vote purchase, such as the source and methodology.

"Ibrahim could greatly assist us by sharing how and from whom he acquired the 3,000 votes to aid his friend. He also claimed that Shri Siddaramaiah financed this venture, albeit with a delayed payment of six months," he stated. Siroya urged the EC to delve into these accusations of significant electoral malpractice brought forth by a former lawmaker and union minister and to initiate an investigation.

He reminisced about Siddaramaiah's contest against BJP candidate B Sriramulu in Badami, suggesting, "Perhaps Sriramulu also holds some insights or information regarding this purchase of 3,000 votes. Should he speak, we could uncover more about the events of 2018, when he contested from two seats and would likely have won both, had vote-buying not intervened."

Siroya also queried Siddaramaiah's narrow win in the 2006 Chamundeshwari by-election, saying, "Given Ibrahim's recent disclosures about Siddaramaiah's narrow win in Badami, he should also shed light on the 2006 by-election from Chamundeshwari. During that period, he was also a close confidant and adviser. "

Siroya pointed out Siddaramaiah's slim victory in 2006, when he contested his first election post-Joining Congress, securing only 257 votes. "Was there vote buying during that period as well? Congress was the ruling party in Delhi then. Did they orchestrate a victory for Siddaramaiah? Who were the officials overseeing that election?" he questioned.

Criticizing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Siroya commented, "By visiting Bengaluru recently and making unfounded allegations about electoral rolls, @RahulGandhi has opened a Pandora's box. This adversely affects his party members, particularly his CM. We owe Rahul Gandhi gratitude for his visit to Bengaluru since his actions have essentially destabilized his own government. "

The MP described Rahul's actions as typical self-sabotage, marking this instance as a notable example. "The undemocratic dismissal of Co-operation Minister KN Rajanna, for contradicting Shri Rahul Gandhi, signifies the onset of the Congress' downfall in Karnataka," he asserted.

K N Rajanna was dismissed as Cooperation Minister on Monday after criticizing the Congress government over alleged bogus voting during the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

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