Karnataka ‘vote chori’ row: Ex-Congress leader CM Ibrahim alleges party bought votes in 2018 polls; BJP urges EC probe

BENGALURU: BJP MP from Karnataka, Lahar Singh Siroya, has written to the chief election commissioner urging him to investigate allegations made by former Congress functionary CM Ibrahim that the party bought votes during the 2018 assembly elections.Ibrahim, once a close associate of Siddaramaiah, claimed that he helped the CM buy 3,000 votes in Badami constituency in 2018, enabling him to win by a small margin.Siroya, in his letter Tuesday, said BJP’s B Sreeramulu, who lost to Siddaramaiah in that poll, might have information on how votes were purchased. “If he speaks, we’ll know more on what happened in 2018 when he contested from two seats and would have practically won both if this vote purchase had not happened,” Siroya said.Withdraw notice, says CongGoverning Congress, meanwhile, defended Rahul Gandhi’s claims of vote theft and argued that the Election Commission of India (ECI) cannot threaten the opposition leader in the Lok Sabha for speaking up on free and fair polls. It urged ECI to withdraw its notice to Rahul demanding proof and an oath.Ramesh Babu, chairman, media and communications department, KPCC, said it was ECI’s duty to ensure free and fair elections and safeguard those who raise concerns in good faith. “Any act of intimidation, reprisal or threat against such citizens would constitute a violation of basic democratic rights,” Babu said. “ECI should issue a clarification saying raising doubts on the poll process, when done in good faith, is a legitimate act and not punishable.”Notice to political partiesChief electoral officer V Anbukumar issued show-cause notices to 10 registered unrecognised political parties that have not contested polls since 2019 but continue to enjoy benefits such as income tax exemption. The parties were asked to submit affidavits from their presidents or general secretaries and appear for a hearing on Sept 1. The ECI has authorised CEOs to hear parties and submit a report.