Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar Friday stated the state Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukumar has ordered an investigation into Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of election fraud in Mahadevapura Assembly constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
CEO Anbukumar asked Shivakumar to submit documents to support his claims with a declaration or oath as per the rule.
Speaking to reporters after a Congress delegation led by him submitted a memorandum to Anbukumar, Shivakumar said he was informed that they (CEO’s office) have started their investigation. “I am glad to know this.”
Shivakumar, who is also Congress state president, said he would visit the CEO’s office again to obtain the documents and evidence.
“In the first phase, we have asked him to provide information to go into the details of every assembly segment, where such incidents have occurred,” the Deputy CM said.
Asked about the BJP’s counter-allegations, Shivakumar said he was not worried about the saffron party.
“Let them (BJP leaders) say whatever they want. We are asking a court, a judge, a commission with autonomous power. We have requested them (Election Commission) to take action because it is the Election Commission’s responsibility to prepare the electoral roll, hold elections and immediately set things right.”
Shivakumar submitted a memorandum to CEO Anbukumar after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged large-scale election fraud in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment under the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency in 2024.
Regarding former Mahadevapura MLA Aravind Limbavali’s statement that there were bogus voters in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s assembly constituency Varuna and Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan’s constituency Chamarajpet in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said the ECI should investigate it.
“Even if there are such issues in my constituency (Kanakapura) I will not mind. Action has to be taken against those who engaged in fraud and are guilty of misuse,” the DCM said.
In a letter to Shivakumar, the CEO said, “With respect to your representation dated 05.08.2025 submitted on 08.08.2025, you have not submitted any documents in support of the references made in the representation.”
“You are hereby kindly requested to submit the documents related to your complaint along with the Declaration/Oath as per Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, so as to act upon the complaint,” the official added.
PTI
