After several allegations of vote fraud by the Congress in Karnataka, BJP Rajya Sabha MP from the state Lahar Singh Siroya has now written to the Election Commission ECI claiming violation of electoral laws in Badami constituency in Bagalkot district during the 2018 Assembly polls. Siddaramaiah had won that contest, and gone on to become Chief Minister.
In his letter dated August 12, Siroya claimed this was disclosed at a public speech recently by C M Ibrahim, former Union minister and a close associate of Siddaramaiah.
“A recording of his speech contains a specific claim regarding the purchase of votes in the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections in Badami constituency, with direct reference to the involvement of senior political figures. The allegations, if true, indicate a serious violation of electoral laws and a matter of urgent public importance,” the BJP MP says in the letter, urging the EC to “take note of these revelations and pursue the matter in a lawfully appropriate manner”.
On Saturday, in a response to Ibrahim’s remarks, Siddaramaiah had said he visited Badami only twice during the 2018 Assembly polls, and was “not aware” of matters on the ground.
In the 2018 Assembly polls, Siddaramaiah had contested from two seats – Chamundeshwari in Mysuru district and Badami. He had vacated his traditional seat, Varuna, having represented it since its formation in 2008, for his son.
Siddaramaiah’s decision to contest from Badami, besides Chamundeshwari, was seen as a fallback as the latter was seen as a tough seat.
The BJP fielded former minister B Sriramulu, a political heavyweight, against Siddaramaiah in Badami. The constituency witnessed intense campaigning, with leaders such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah participating in rallies.
Pre-poll surveys predicted a tight contest in Badami, and Siddaramaiah eventually just pulled through, winning by 1,696 votes.
Siroya’s letter comes amid allegations over “vote theft” by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who has claimed that more than 1 lakh votes were “stolen” to favour the BJP in the Mahadevapura segment of Bangalore Central seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Taking to X on Tuesday, Siroya posted that Ibrahim had made a “shocking revelation”. “He has said that he, along with senior Congress leader Shri B B Chimankatti, helped purchase 3000 votes in 2018, so that Shri Siddaramaiah could scrape through the Assembly election from the Badami seat,” the MP wrote.
“In the final count, Shri Siddaramaiah’s victory margin in Badami was a mere 1696 votes. It was a humiliating margin… The NOTA votes, which were 2007, were higher than his victory margin. Shri Ibrahim was a prominent Congress leader in 2018, and by all references and claims, was in charge of his friend’s election,” the MP stated.
Siroya asked Ibrahim to reveal how he was able to purchase the votes. “He has also said Shri Siddaramaiah had paid for this purchase, but took six months to make the payment. The ECI may want to take note of this claim of gross electoral corruption from someone who has been a lawmaker and a Union minister himself, and order an investigation,” the MP added.
Siroya also took a dig at Gandhi, saying he “has opened up a can of worms”. “His party men, including his CM, are more affected than anybody else.”