‘Vote Chori Mafia’
The political atmosphere in Karnataka turned combative on Wednesday after the High Court annulled the election of Congress MLA K.Y. Nanjegowda from the Malur constituency. Following the verdict, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka accused the ruling Congress of operating a “Vote Chori Mafia” (vote-stealing mafia).
The controversy began when BJP candidate K.S. Manjunath Gowda, who lost to Nanjegowda in the May 2023 Assembly elections, filed a petition alleging irregularities. Acting on this plea, the High Court set aside the election result and ordered the Election Commission to recount the votes within four weeks and announce the fresh outcome.
However, at the request of Nanjegowda’s legal team, the court has stayed its own order for 30 days, granting the Congress leader time to approach the Supreme Court with an appeal.
Reacting sharply to the development, Ashoka took to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to post: “Congress = Vote Chori Mafia. From Ballari to Malur, one pattern never changes – rig the booth, steal the vote, murder democracy.” He accused the Congress of systematically undermining the electoral process in Karnataka.
This latest judicial ruling has reinvigorated the BJP, which has been alleging that Congress used unfair tactics during the 2023 polls. With the recount order temporarily on hold, both parties are now gearing up for the next phase of the legal and political battle, as the Supreme Court may ultimately decide the fate of the Malur Assembly seat.
