DK Shivakumar inaugurated a Mahatma Gandhi Museum in Bengaluru on Friday
Bengaluru: The political confrontation over chief minister DK Shivakumar ’s protest at the chief electoral officer’s (CEO) office intensified Friday, with BJP staging a counter-protest and demanding action against him and his cabinet colleagues, while Shivakumar said he was ready for any legal action if he had violated the law.
Shivakumar, who along with ministers and party brass sat Thursday in protest at the CEO’s office demanding action over alleged bulk submission of fraudulent Form 7 applications during the SIR, said he had not staged a conventional protest.
“As a public servant, I sat at the election office to protect voting rights of the people of the state,” he said, adding that he remained there until his demands were addressed. Union minister HD Kumaraswamy called the protest a “political farce”. It is a victory for voters in Karnataka and across the country,” he said. “Special camps should be organised to enrol young and first-time voters.”
Union minister Pralhad Joshi criticised Shivakumar for his protest, saying the CM should instead focus on drought, farmers’ problems and other issues affecting people. He also questioned the postponement of the cabinet meeting and alleged that the demonstration was intended to mislead people. Joshi asked why police had not registered an FIR, arguing that protests in Bengaluru were restricted to Freedom Park. They submitted a memorandum seeking an FIR against Shivakumar and his ministers, alleging violation of a Karnataka High Court order restricting protests outside Freedom Park. BJP functionaries withdrew the protest after the police commissioner assured them their representation would be considered. CM DK Shivakumar Friday welcomed the Election Commission of India ’s direction to identify eligible voters left out during the SIR and facilitate their enrolment, indicating his six-hour dharna had triggered the decision. “This is not just a victory for Congress party and the govt.
He alleged the govt had remained silent despite earlier complaints about irregularities in the SIR process and accused it of using the issue to divert attention from other alleged irregularities, including those linked to NICE. Earlier, BJP state president BY Vijayendra, opposition leader R Ashoka and other party functionaries staged a sit-in outside Bengaluru police commissioner’s office Friday.
Responding to BJP’s demand for his resignation over his allegation that around 50 lakh eligible voters were at risk of deletion, Shivakumar said the opposition should explain the submission of 25,000 applications.
He said the Election Commission or any other institution could take action if he was at fault.