Karnataka shocker: 10,000 voter IDs found in Bengaluru flat
A massive controversy has erupted with the seizure of 10,000 voter ID cards in a Bengaluru flat, three days ahead of the Karnataka election. Though initially they were reported as fake, the EC has confirmed they aren't; they belong to "vulnerable" voters who are suspected to have been bribed. Both the BJP and Congress have accused each other of trying to manipulate the polls.
Cards seized along with computers, printers and voter list forms
The cards were reportedly found in the in RR Nagar flat by one Rakesh, who HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said was a BJP worker. Authorities later seized computers, printers, and thousands of voter list forms. Photos and visiting cards of a Congress candidate were also found, but "no conclusion can be drawn they had visited the place," said Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar.
Flat reportedly belonged to a BJP contractor
The flat reportedly belongs to a Manjula Nanjamari, who told media she is a former BJP corporator, a claim Congress vehemently backed. Her son/stepson/nephew (unclear) Rakesh had also reportedly contested the 2015 corporation election from BJP. But the saffron party has denied links to her. Javadekar claimed she was working for the Congress. The flat was apparently leased to a woman named Rekha Ranjan.
So what was going on with the IDs?
TOI talked to people who allegedly had their voter IDs "bought." "I was approached by supporters of a BJP candidate who asked me if I wanted to get Rs. 1,000 for not voting," said Arbaz Khan, a carpenter. The price varies depending on several factors. In the apparent racket, parties would bribe voters, take their IDs, and cast vote for their candidates in these voters' names.
BJP-Congress lash out at each other, shifting blame
This has triggered a political war of words. BJP accused the Congress of trying to "derail" the elections, with Javadekar alleging "five laptops, scanners and lamination machines and many voter ID cards were burnt before police reached the spot." "Everything about Congress is fake," Amit Shah said. Meanwhile, CM Siddaramaiah lashed out at the BJP, alleging "Congress is constantly under surveillance of BJP government."
EC rules out 'fake' IDs, assures thorough probe
The EC has denied the IDs were fake. Nobody was illegally accessing the EC database from the flat either, officials confirmed. It isn't easy to "steal" votes due to processes like vulnerability-mapping, and the fact that voters can use any government-issued ID to cast vote. There's not enough evidence to cancel the Rajarajeshwari Nagar seat polls yet, they said, adding investigations are being conducted.
