Bagalkot (Karnataka), April 2 (IANS) A dual voter row has erupted in Karnataka ahead of the Bagalkot bypolls. Alleging that the Congress is attempting to create fear among voters due to fear of defeat, former Deputy Chief Minister and MP, Govind Karjol on Thursday challenged the ruling party to arrest student voters if it had the courage.

The comments came after Deputy CM Shivakumar told the media that in certain wards of Bagalkot city, there are students who have come from outside, and their names have been included in the voter list, which means they have votes both in their native place and here.

Shivakumar had stated, “I have instructed that a complaint be filed with the Deputy Commissioner regarding this matter. We have set up a separate team to identify those who have dual votes. We are also examining whether there is a provision to arrest such individuals, and action will be taken against this at the earliest.”

Addressing media persons in Bagalkot on Thursday, Karjol challened, “Mr. Randeep Singh Surjewala (AICC General Secretary and Karnataka Incharge), the government is yours. If you have the courage, arrest student voters today itself and show us.”

He accused Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, and Randeep Singh Surjewala of creating panic among youth and college students by warning that they would be arrested if they exercised their franchise. He termed such statements as dangerous for democracy and strongly condemned them.

Karjol also stated that the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) process has not yet been completed in the state. He alleged that the Congress leaders were making such remarks out of fear of losing the election.

Further, he accused the ruling party of misusing grassroots workers to influence voters. “ASHA and Anganwadi workers, as well as teachers, are being sent door-to-door to threaten people that if they do not vote for Congress, the five guarantee schemes will be withdrawn. This is shameful,” he said.

Highlighting voter eligibility, Karjol pointed out that individuals who have enrolled in the voter list with proper address and Aadhaar details are entitled to cast only one vote in an election. He added that thousands of students have been residing in Bagalkot for 5 to 10 years, making them legitimate voters.

He further alleged that if the government had provided good governance, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister would not have camped in the constituency for several days and resorted to heavy spending to win elections.

Referring to past leaders, he said former Chief Ministers Ramakrishna Hegde and Patel did not participate in bye-elections, and remarked that the current approach does not bring dignity.

Karjol said that their party candidate Charantimath has already presented his past achievements and future plans through a booklet, and urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to similarly present the achievements of his MLAs and the government.

Rajya Sabha member Narayanasa Bhandage, former minister N. Mahesh, former MLC Arun Shahapur, state secretary Sharanu Thallikere, district president Shantagouda Patil and other leaders were present on the occasion.

It can be noted that Surjewala and Deputy CM Shivakumar while jointly addressing media accused the BJP of threatening migrant students and forcing them to vote.

They stated, “Due to elections, some people who had migrated for their livelihood need to be brought back. Meanwhile, in certain wards of Bagalkot city, there are students who have come from outside, and their names have been included in the voter list. They have votes both in their native place and here.

“Our candidate has allegedly taken away the voter ID cards of such individuals. These students are being threatened that they must vote, failing which they will be failed or harassed.”

–IANS

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