Vote Protection Is My Responsibility- Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar

Karnataka leader DK Shivakumar has alleged that attempts were made to trap him through a secret operation after he assumed office as Chief Minister. Speaking to reporters in Delhi ahead of a GST Council meeting, he said he had alerted ministers and party leaders because of the alleged attempts to implicate them. Shivakumar claimed to know who was behind the operation and alleged that agents had been engaged and financial support provided. He maintained that he had evidence to support his allegations and said he would approach the police if necessary. Without directly identifying those allegedly involved, he made a pointed remark apparently aimed at Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, saying that those who felt targeted were reacting defensively. He also said details and photographs relating to people who had approached him might be officially recorded at his office.

Shivakumar described the right to vote as vital to choosing a capable government and stressed that protecting every eligible voter was his responsibility. He questioned the Centre’s repeated claims about illegal immigrants entering India from Bangladesh and criticised the BJP, alleging that it was attempting to gain political advantage by misleading the electoral system. He also condemned the alleged police action against Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, during protests seeking corrections to errors in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. According to Shivakumar, the Election Commission had assured that eligible voters would not be removed from electoral rolls. He said the Karnataka Congress would decide its next steps after the final voter list was published. He added that removing the names of deceased persons and ineligible voters was not the issue; the priority was to ensure that genuine voters retained their democratic rights. He also praised INDIA bloc leaders for their efforts to protect voting rights.