BJP ministers complaint sparks off Cong demand for EC probe

After a dismal performance in the parliamentary polls,the Congress in Karnataka has latched on to recent developments...

After a dismal performance in the parliamentary polls,the Congress in Karnataka has latched on to recent developments in the ruling BJP in the state including a mini revolt by a section of BJP MLAs against Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to revive itself. The Congress leaders made a mass appearance at the doorstep of Governor Rameshwar Thakur on Wednesday with a plea to ask the Election Commission to conduct inquiries into malpractices,as admitted by a dissident BJP minister.

Led by Congress working president D K Shivakumar,the party leaders presented a memorandum to the Governor citing recent admissions of widespread electoral malpractices made by Power Minister K S Eswarappa. The minister is involved in a war of attrition with Yeddyurappa and faces the possibility of punishment after he recently lashed out against the CMs decision to field his son B Y Raghavendra for the Lok Sabha polls. Eshwarappa who hails from Shimoga region,which is also home to Yeddyurappa,alleged that the CMs family had sidelined BJP workers in Shimoga and relied on money and liquor to get ahead in the polls. Eswarappa,who is accused of not wholeheartedly supporting Raghavendra,also alleged that similar means were employed in other parts of the state.

The Congress in its memorandum said Eswarappas remarks could be used as an evidence in the dozens of complaints filed against the BJP during the election campaign.

Many BJP candidates have won in the said election in a dubious manner and there was no free and fair election held in Karnataka. Our allegations have been substantially admitted by the statement of a senior minister in the Cabinet of the Government of Karnataka,Sri K S Eswarappa, stated the Congress in its plea to the Governor.

According to the Congress,the BJP has not denied the ministers allegations.

The Congress has demanded the use of the ministers statement as an evidence in specific cases like a complaint filed by the Congress against the CMs son organising lavish dinners in Shimoga and distribution of money in other parts of the state.The Congress has asked the Governor to direct the Election Commission to declare the election of 19 BJP Lok Sabha candidates as null and void.

The Congress got a mere six Lok Sabha seats out of a total of 28 from Karnataka.

Story continues below this ad

Eswarappa,who initially made the allegations,has recently backtracked and claimed that there are no differences between him and the CM. Eswarappa opened a parallel revolt against Yeddyurappa alongside the BJPs Bellary brothers by staying away from the first anniversary celebrations of the BJP Government in Karnataka on May 31. He lashed out at the CM on June 1. While the Bellary brothers have over two dozen MLAs behind them,Eswarappa has been waging a lone battle and has not allied with the Bellary group.