Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has firmly stated that recent survey findings do not invalidate the Congress party's serious allegation of 'vote theft' against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The CM made these remarks while addressing the media in Mysuru on Saturday, May 18, directly countering the opposition's attempts to use a survey to challenge the Congress's narrative.
The Core of the Controversy
The political clash centers on a claim made by Congress leader and Minister Priyank Kharge. He alleged that the BJP had 'stolen' votes in the recent Assembly elections, specifically pointing to a significant number of votes secured by the BJP in constituencies where the Congress emerged victorious. A subsequent survey reportedly suggested that beneficiaries of the Congress government's guarantee schemes would still vote for the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed the notion that this survey disproves the original allegation. He argued that the survey's focus on future voting intent for the Lok Sabha polls is entirely separate from the specific accusation of what transpired in the past Assembly elections. "The survey does not say that the votes were not stolen," Siddaramaiah emphasized, standing by his colleague's charge.
Defending the Guarantee Schemes
Siddaramaiah also took the opportunity to vigorously defend his government's flagship guarantee schemes, which include 'Gruha Lakshmi', 'Shakti', 'Gruha Jyoti', and 'Anna Bhagya'. He expressed confidence that these popular welfare initiatives have created a strong, positive sentiment among the people of Karnataka.
He challenged the BJP's criticism, questioning their track record. "What is the BJP's alternative? What did they give when they were in power?" the Chief Minister asked. He asserted that the Congress government's programs are directly improving the lives of millions, and this ground-level impact will be reflected in the electoral outcome.
Political Context and Upcoming Battle
This war of words is set against the tense backdrop of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The statements from both sides are seen as crucial for shaping public perception and mobilizing core voter bases in the final phases of the national poll.
Siddaramaiah's firm rebuttal serves to keep the 'vote theft' allegation alive in the public discourse, potentially to undermine the BJP's moral standing and to galvanize Congress supporters. The BJP, on the other hand, has used the survey to counter-attack, suggesting that even beneficiaries of Congress schemes are not convinced by the party's governance.
As the campaign reaches its peak, the debate over the guarantee schemes and allegations of past electoral misconduct is likely to intensify, making Karnataka a critical battleground state whose results could influence the national picture.
