Bengaluru: Minister Rajanna questions Congress silence on alleged voter list manipulation

Karnataka Minister K.N. Rajanna questioned the Congress party’s silence on alleged voter list manipulation during its own tenure, saying irregularities occurred “before our eyes.” His blunt remarks have stirred debate on internal accountability and electoral vigilance within the party.

Bengaluru: In a candid and self-critical statement, Karnataka Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna has questioned his own party’s silence on alleged voter list manipulation during the Congress government’s tenure. His remarks came in response to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent accusation that large-scale “vote theft” took place in the last Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to reporters, Rajanna pointed out that the electoral rolls used in the Lok Sabha polls were prepared when Congress was in power. “If irregularities occurred then, why was no one speaking up at the time? Why did we remain silent?” he asked, openly challenging his party colleagues.

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Rajanna acknowledged that changes to the voter list were indeed made, which, he claimed, played a role in the Prime Minister assuming office. “It is 100% true that the election commission altered the voter list. In Mahadevapura, fraud definitely took place. But when the draft list was being prepared, was it not our responsibility to oversee it?” he said.

While Rahul Gandhi has alleged vote theft, Rajanna expressed disappointment that the matter was not raised during the drafting stage. “These irregularities happened right before our eyes. Our silence back then is a matter of shame for all of us. We must admit this and be more vigilant in the future under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership,” he said.

Rajanna also commented on reports that Rahul Gandhi approached Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence rather than lodging a complaint with the Election Commission. “I do not know the details. After the Bengaluru event, I went directly to Tumakuru. What happened later is unclear to me,” he clarified.

In a separate context, Rajanna reacted sharply to certain religious leaders urging that Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar be made Chief Minister.

“If swamijis are going to decide everything, then what is the need for politicians? They might as well form the government themselves,” he remarked, stressing that political decisions cannot be dictated by religious heads.

Rajanna’s unusually frank remarks have sparked discussion within the Congress, raising questions about internal accountability and vigilance over electoral processes.