Bengaluru: BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra has announced that the BJP will stage a protest at the Gandhi statue near Vidhana Soudha at 10 AM on August 5. This is in response to Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks about electoral fraud, which Vijayendra said are an insult to the voters of the country and the state, as well as against the Constitution.
Speaking at a press conference at the BJP State Headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan, Vijayendra stated that after the protest, BJP leaders would meet the Hon’ble Governor and submit a formal memorandum. He accused Rahul Gandhi of planning to enact political “drama” during his visit to Bengaluru on August 5.
Vijayendra said that MPs, MLAs, MLCs, former parliamentarians and legislators, and ex-MLCs from the BJP will take part in the protest. The aim is to inform the public about the Congress Party’s misleading stand. He also alleged that, in anticipation of Rahul Gandhi’s visit, the state government had demolished a compound wall and cut down trees at Freedom Park. He demanded that Rahul Gandhi and the Chief Minister apologize to the people of Karnataka.
He accused the Congress of launching a new narrative both in Karnataka and across India, alleging widespread election fraud in various states during the recent Lok Sabha elections. He criticized Rahul Gandhi, calling him a misguided leader with no direction, for claiming the BJP misused the Election Commission.
Rahul Gandhi’s Political Drama Born Out of Frustration: Vijayendra
Vijayendra said Rahul Gandhi is confused and, having repeatedly failed to win the people’s trust, is now making baseless allegations against constitutional bodies. He accused Rahul of staging a “deceptive drama” out of sheer frustration and defeat.
He referred to Rahul Gandhi’s statement claiming he has “100% proof” of electoral fraud. Vijayendra challenged Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar to submit any such proof to the High Court or Supreme Court if they truly possess it.
He added that these leaders are not just accusing the Election Commission but are also deliberately creating confusion and distrust in the democratic system. According to him, Rahul Gandhi has lost faith in democracy and is projecting his personal failures onto democratic institutions. Vijayendra mockingly said that Gandhi seems unable to accept the leadership of Narendra Modi, who has taken charge as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term.
“A Direct Attack on Democracy”
Calling it an attempt to mislead the public, Vijayendra warned that this is a serious issue. He said Rahul Gandhi’s visit and protest at Freedom Park do not intimidate the BJP but reflect an anti-democratic mindset. According to Vijayendra, this is an attack on democracy itself.
He compared the situation to the Emergency declared by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 and said that Rahul Gandhi seems to be attempting something similar now. He recalled how Rahul Gandhi had previously cast doubts on EVMs after losing the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra elections and then failed to provide evidence when the Election Commission asked.
Do You Not Trust Your Own Officers?
Vijayendra described Rahul Gandhi’s actions as dangerous and anti-democratic. He highlighted that in the recent elections, the BJP-JD(S) alliance won 19 seats in Karnataka. He said that D.K. Suresh lost in Bengaluru Rural, and that is why D.K. Shivakumar is alleging election fraud there. Similarly, he noted that BJP MP P.C. Mohan won in Bengaluru Central, and that BJP received maximum leads from Mahadevapura and Rajajinagar. He questioned whether the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister do not trust their own officers who conducted the election duties, and whether they have control over their own administration.
