The controversy over allegations of duplicate voter registrations has sparked a political row between the ruling Congress and the BJP ahead of the bypolls in Bagalkot.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar alleged that in some wards of Bagalkot city, students from outside were included in the local voters’ list while keeping their votes at their native places. He said that instructions had been issued to file a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner, and that a separate team had been formed to identify such cases.
“I have instructed to lodge a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner regarding this matter. We have set up a separate team to identify those with double votes. We are also examining whether there is a provision to arrest such individuals and action will be taken against this as soon as possible,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Reacting to these statements, former Deputy Prime Minister and BJP MP Govind Karjol challenged the government to act against those it accused.
Addressing the media in Bagalkot on Thursday, he said: “Randeep Singh Surjewala (AICC general secretary and in-charge of Karnataka), the government is yours. If you have the courage, arrest the student voters themselves today and show us.”
Karjol accused Shivakumar and Surjewala of creating fear among students by warning of possible arrests.
He said that such statements pose a danger to democracy and could discourage young voters from participating in the electoral process.
He also said that the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state was yet to be completed and claimed that the issue was raised out of concern over the election results.
Karjol further alleged that grassroots workers were being used to influence voters. “ASHA and Anganwadi workers, as well as teachers, are being sent door to door threatening people that if they do not vote for Congress, the five guarantee schemes will be withdrawn. This is shameful,” he said.
Asserting that individuals registered in the voter list with valid address and Aadhaar details are eligible to vote, he said many students have been residing in Bagalkot for several years, making them legitimate voters.
Karjol also criticized the participation of senior leaders in the bypoll campaign, alleging that their extended presence in the constituency reflects a lack of confidence in governance.
Referring to the former leaders, he said that former Prime Ministers Ramakrishna Hegde and Patel did not participate in the by-elections.
He said his party’s candidate, Charantimath, presented the past achievements and future plans through a booklet and urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to showcase the performance of his government and the legislators.
Rajya Sabha member Narayanasa Bhandage, former minister N Mahesh, former MLC Arun Shahapur, state minister Sharanu Thalikere and district president Shantaguda Patil were present.
Earlier, in a joint talk to the media, Shivakumar and Surjewala accused the BJP of targeting migrant students and forcing them to vote. They said some individuals who moved for a living needed to return to cast their votes, and alleged that in some wards, students were registered on more than one voter list. “These students are threatened that they must vote, otherwise they will fail or be harassed,” they said.
