Karnataka CM, KPCC chief suspect tampering of EVMs in Gujarat, HP

News Network
December 18, 2017

Karnataka’s chief minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president G Prameshwara have expressed suspicion over the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh wherein the BJP managed to defeat Congress.

“Going by the outcome of the elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the doubt and suspicion over tampering of EVMs still lingers in one’s mind,” Siddaramaiah said.

Responding to questions by presspersons here on Monday, he said “The results, despite anti-incumbency factor against the BJP government, especially in the wake of people unhappy with the impact of GST and demonetisation, corroborates with the doubt over likely tampering of EVMs.”

Mr. Siddaramaiah was also of the view that Prime Minister Narendra Modi playing the emotional card that he is a Gujarati and seeks blessings of Gujaratis, instead of talking of development, on one hand and Congress leaders Shankarsinh Vagela and 18 MLAs quitting the party before election was among other reasons for the Congress not winning more seats. However, going by the outcome of polls, the party had fared better and the popularity of AICC President had also been enormous, he felt.

Although he congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the BJP’s victory, he reiterated that Mr. Modi’s popularity has come down. If there was popularity, Mr. Modi had to have made a clean sweep in both States. “We gained more percentages of votes than BJP in spite of continuous campaign by Mr. Modi and Amit Shah, BJP national president, spending huge money”. He said that lack of networking and strong leadership may have caused Congress’s defeat in Gujarat.

Meanwhile, Parameshwara said that he too suspects the authenticity of EVMs. He said it has been proved by an American university that EVMs can be manipulated, tampered and data can be entered through cell phones. “Until EVMs become foolproof they should not be used.”

Speaking to reporters at Kora in Tumakuru district on Monday, he said that his party would take a decision shortly on requesting the Election Commission to use ballot papers instead of EVMs in the coming Assembly election in Karnataka.

He also said that the election result in Gujarat shows that the Congress has improved its position there. He said that campaigning by president of All India Congress Committee Rahul Gandhi has helped the Congress to gain more seats in that State. “Compared to the previous 2-3 elections, our performance is better in Gujarat.”

Speaking about Himachal Pradesh, Mr. Parameshwara said that the Congress was ruling the State for the past 15 years and it is quite natural that there will be an anti-incumbency wave which has affected the results.

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coastaldigest.com news network
January 6,2020

Hosapete, Jan 6: Tension prevailed at Chalavadikeri here on Monday as residents prevented BJP leaders and workers from entering the locality for propaganda on Citizenship (Amendment) Act and shouted slogans against them.

On receipt of the information about the arrival of the BJP leaders, the residents of the locality gathered at the entrance of the lane and displayed black flag besides shouting slogan-go back, go back.

The people told the BJP workers not enter their vicinity when the workers stated them that they will distribute pamphlets only.

The police who arrived at the spot are trying their best to pacify the irate locals. More number of people belonging to Muslim and Dalit communities are residing in the area.

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coastaldigest.com news network
April 27,2020

Mangaluru, Apr 27: Two more people including an elderly woman have been tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Dakshina Kannada. 

With this the total number of covid-19 cases in the district reached 21, though most of them have recovered and returned home. 

In its today's bulletin, the health and family welfare department confirmed that a 45-year-old man and his 80-year-old mother tested positive for the deadly disease. 

It is learnt that one of them had undergone treatment at a private hospital where a woman from Bantwal, who died of covid-19, was being treated for breathing difficulties, before she was shifted to Wenlock Hospital which is now converted into covid-19 hospital.

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News Network
May 18,2020

Bengaluru, May 18: Over two months after his appointment as the Karnataka Congress President, DK Shivakumar is likely to take-over the reigns of the party officially on May 31.

"There are two dates, May 31 and June 7. He is most likely to officially take over as KPCC President on the 31st," sources close to Mr Shivakumar told PTI.

After remaining in a virtual vacuum for nearly three months, the party high command on March 11 appointed Mr Shivakumar, known to be the Congress' chief troubleshooter in crisis situations, replacing Dinesh Gundu Rao as KPCC chief.

Mr Rao had quit the post in December 2019 after the party's dismal show in the bypolls when it won only two of the 15 seats and yielded 12.

Congress sources said once the appointment letter came from the high command, he has been KPCC president and officially taking charge was just a formality.

"He will be officially handed over the party insignias and responsibilities relating to bank accounts and cheques, among other things, that has been traditionally followed," they said, adding the official take over was delayed by the coronavirus.

After his appointment as KPCC president, Mr Shivakumar has been meeting a host of senior party leaders and leading the party in the fight against coronavirus.

These include setting up of Congress' COVID-19 task force, alerting the government in its management of the crisis, holding weekly video conferencing with leaders of party's local units to gather information, among other things.

Sources close to Mr Shivakumar said the official take over would be a simple event, looking at the current situation due to the pandemic.

"Very few select party leaders and office bearers, say about 50 odd people, are likely to be in attendance at the simple event at KPCC office," they said, adding that arrangements may be made to telecast the event live for the benefit for party workers and local leaders.

A six-time MLA, Mr Shivakumar had a long wait for his appointment to the coveted post, due to opposition within. There were reports that Congress Legislature Party leader Siddarmaiah had lobbied in favour of one of his confidants for the top job.

In a first, appointment of three KPCC Working Presidents- Satish Jharkiholi, Saleem Ahammed and Eashwar Khandre, was seen as an attempt by those apposing Mr Shivakumar, to weaken his hold on the party.

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