Rahul Gandhi: ‘Vote chori’ clamour grows in Karnataka: Rift emerges in Congress; minister slams party, DK Shivakumar camp hits back | Bengaluru News

BENGALURU: Fresh cracks have emerged within governing Congress in Karnataka as senior functionaries have openly expressed dissent over former party MP and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi‘s recent claims of “vote theft” during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Cooperation minister KN Rajanna — a known supporter of chief minister Siddaramaiah — has again stirred controversy with remarks that have drawn a sharp response from deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar’s supporters. In response to a rally led by Rahul, Lok Sabha opposition leader, in Bengaluru last week, where he accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of bias and blamed discrepancies in voter lists for the party’s defeat in key constituencies like Bangalore Central, Rajanna pushed back by suggesting that the party must also take responsibility.Also Read: ‘Provide relevant documents’: Karnataka chief poll officer sends notice to Rahul Gandhi; seeks proof for ‘vote chori’ claims“One should remember that voter lists were revised when our own govt was at the helm,” Rajanna told reporters. “Why did our party turn a blind eye then? It is true that there are irregularities, but it is insulting for us that it happened right under our nose.” Reminding party colleagues that the ECI had invited objections after publishing draft electoral rolls, Rajanna said: “It becomes our responsibility to act in timely fashion on issues like electoral rolls. We should have raised objections then, especially in the case of Mahadevapura where there are many instances of malpractice. After keeping silent when we were supposed to talk, we are talking about it now.”Also Read: ‘Irregularities in 2019 Lok Sabha polls’: Congress doubles down on ‘vote chori’ claim; to launch auditAs expected, his comments have not gone down well with members of Shivakumar’s camp, who accused Rajanna and other seniors of acting against party interests. The internal tensions come amid a larger ongoing struggle for the CM post between supporters of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. Adding to Congress’ concerns, food and civil supplies minister KH Muniyappa, speaking in a party forum, urged the state leadership to strengthen its grassroots presence ahead of upcoming zilla and taluk panchayat elections. He emphasised BJP’s growing influence, saying Congress has failed to “control BJP.” Shivakumar loyalists accused Rajanna and others of attempting to destabilise the party and said they will escalate the matter to the party high command. “The state govt has decided to investigate the issue of vote theft and it has asked the Advocate General to submit a report,” said HD Ranganath, Kunigal MLA. “Talking negatively against our own party and govt even before the investigation is over is unpardonable. The high command must take serious note of it end such anti-party activities.” Meanwhile, former Mahadevapura MLA Aravind Limbavali of BJP, seized the moment to bolster the opposition’s narrative. “Rahul should open his eyes at least now, as his own party members are reiterating what we have said. I will soon make a powerpoint presentation on this in New Delhi,” Limbavali said. While addressing the issue of voter list discrepancies on Friday, he avoided mentioning Shivakumar’s Kanakapura constituency but pointed fingers at Siddaramaiah’s Varuna seat and other constituencies held by his loyalists — including Chamarajpet (BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan), Gandhinagar (Dinesh Gundu Rao), Sandur (E Annapoorna), and BTM Layout (Ramalinga Reddy).