'Drowning in lies': Karnataka BJP leader hits out at Congress over 'vote theft' after HC sets aside MLA's win in Malur

BJP leader R Ashoka

Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashoka launched a sharp attack on the Congress on Tuesday after the Karnataka High Court set aside the election of Congress MLA KY Nanjegowda from the Malur constituency in Kolar district.

Ashoka, a senior BJP leader, accused the Congress of “vote theft” and demanded that Rahul Gandhi respond to the court’s ruling. Taking to X, he wrote, “The Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka has cancelled @INCKarnataka MLA Nanjegowda’s election and ordered fresh counting in 4 weeks. This is a direct indictment of @INCIndia’s #VoteChori politics!”

He went on to taunt Gandhi directly: “Will @RahulGandhi now come to Karnataka and launch his ‘Vote Chori Yatra’ against his own MLA?”

Ashoka also targeted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, asking whether they would answer to the people about the alleged irregularities in Malur. “Congress is drowning in lies, fraud and corruption. From Himachal to Karnataka to Telangana, wherever there is Congress, there is Vote Chori and Dhokha. @BJP4India stands with the people and democracy,” he said.

In a separate post in Kannada, Ashoka likened the controversy to Gandhi’s earlier press conference on irregularities in the Mahadevapura voters’ list. “Just as he held a press conference about the voter list in Mahadevapura and burst firecrackers like an ‘atom bomb,’ will Rahul Gandhi also hold a press conference about the irregularities committed by the Congress party in the Malur Assembly constituency?” he asked.

Ashoka ended his post with a blunt accusation: “Where is the vote thief? In the Congress legislative party!”

The remarks came hours after the Karnataka High Court invalidated Nanjegowda’s election victory in the 2023 Assembly polls. The verdict followed a petition by BJP’s K S Manjunath Gowda, who narrowly lost to the Congress candidate and alleged irregularities in the counting process.

The court found merit in Manjunath Gowda’s claims, observing that video footage of the counting process had not been submitted and criticising the conduct of the District Election Officer. The court ordered a recount of votes within four weeks and directed action against the official involved.

However, the court also granted interim relief to Nanjegowda. His legal team sought a stay on the order, and the High Court allowed 30 days for him to approach the Supreme Court. Until then, his election will not be invalidated. If the Supreme Court does not intervene, Nanjegowda’s seat will be vacated.

The ruling has given the BJP fresh ammunition against the ruling Congress in Karnataka, with Ashoka making it clear the opposition intends to keep up the pressure.