Bengaluru, 30 July

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently claimed that his party has figured out the modus operandi of the “votes theft” by studying a Lok Sabha constituency in State, will participate in a protest in City on 4 August and submit a representation to the Election Commission officials here.

Amid the raging row over the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, on 23 July, alleged that elections are being “stolen” in India and claimed that his party has figured out the modus operandi of the “votes theft” by studying a LS constituency in State.

“Rahul Gandhi has raised voice against irregularities in elections. He had said that such things had taken place in Karnataka too, so he is coming here to give representation to the Election Commission officials. He is coming on 4 August,” state Home Minister G Parameshwara said.

“Party State President (DK Shivakumar) and Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah)are finalising the plan. As per the tentative plan, he (Gandhi) is likely to address party workers at Freedom Park, following which he is likely to meet election officials and submit a memorandum,” he said.

Noting that there are directions from the High Court in 2022 against holding any procession and protest in the City, Parameshwara said the programme will be organised keeping it in mind....”there will not be any procession.”

In response, BJP State President BY Vijayendra called the move “funny”.

"I don't know why he is so confused. If the BJP can manipulate and misuse the Election Commission, then how did Congress come to power in Karnataka with 136 MLAs? How did the Congress win by-elections for three MLA seats?" Vijayendra asked. “If the BJP had misused the Election Commission, then BJP would have come to power. I think Rahul Gandhi has been misguided in this issue…. It has become a joke.