Cong to hold massive protest in B'luru on Aug 5 over alleged electoral fraud
Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi is expected to take part in the protest.
The party aims to mobilise 5,000 participants from Mandya district alone.
Speaking to reporters in Mandya, the minister said the protest will be held at Freedom Park, as court has prohibited rallies elsewhere in the city following a stampede during the RCB victory celebrations in June.
Cheluvarayaswamy said that the demonstration will focus on BJP's alleged influence and manipulation during the elections.
"Initially, we had planned a protest rally, but due to restrictions, we have shifted to Freedom Park," he said. "Electoral malpractice is a grave issue. We must address it with utmost seriousness," he added.
The minister criticised the Election Commission, saying earlier allegations raised by the Congress were not taken seriously. "There was a belief that such malpractice was impossible through the commission," he said.
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The minister said even party functionaries found it difficult to verify voters in some constituencies in Bengaluru. "Now it has come to light that the voters list was tampered with," he claimed.
Citing Mahadevapura constituency in Bengaluru, he pointed to inconsistencies between the voter lists used during the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. "This clearly signals electoral malpractice," he noted.
Cheluvarayaswamy warned that the misuse of the Election Commission for such purposes poses a serious threat to democracy.
"For democracy to survive, transparency is essential. While doubts about EVMs continue, tampering with voter lists is a far more serious concern," he said.
Reacting to former MP Prajwal Revanna's conviction, Cheluvarayaswamy said no one is above the law and wrongdoers would be punished. "The court's verdict is final and binding. No one has the authority to question it. If necessary, the only recourse is to file an appeal," he stated.
On the Dharmasthala incident, he informed that the SIT has begun its probe. "It is natural for differing opinions to surface during the course of an investigation. But all questions will be answered once the SIT completes its inquiry," he added.
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