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Rao suggested the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing allegations of voter fraud in the Aland constituency should also look at his own seat
The minister claimed that a detailed check conducted by his team in parts of Bengaluru’s Gandhinagar constituency revealed large-scale voter fraud. File pic/PTI
The Vote Chori campaign by the Congress could take another turn, with Karnataka Minister and Gandhinagar MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao suggesting that the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is currently probing allegations of voter fraud in the Aland constituency, should also investigate similar irregularities in his own seat.
“It would be good if the SIT looks into this as well. There will be more fear of the law if it is done, and they will not indulge in it further,” Gundu Rao told News18.
The minister claimed that a detailed check conducted by his team in parts of Bengaluru’s Gandhinagar constituency revealed large-scale voter fraud.
The Congress, he said, had also investigated areas in the Bengaluru Central Lok Sabha segment—which includes Gandhinagar and Mahadevapura—as they believed manipulation may have taken place not just during the assembly polls but also in the parliamentary constituency.
“We checked in one ward in Chickpet, in my Gandhinagar constituency, where we suspected fraudulent activities. We saw nearly 11,000 fraudulent voters’ names there,” Gundu Rao said.
As part of their internal investigation, Rao said the Congress had gone house to house after the 2023 assembly elections to verify voter lists.
“We have officially complained to the Election Commission with names, addresses, and details. They have only looked into 10 per cent of it. Our investigation has shown that there are houses where 100 and 80 votes were found in one address. This was brought to the notice of the EC soon after my elections got over,” he said.
When asked whether he planned to file an official complaint with the SIT as well, the minister said, “We have filed a complaint with the EC—the names and list have also been given.”
No doubt that there has been voter manipulation, said Rao. “Somebody has done this. The local officers have not done their work properly, and the Election Commission has failed in its duty,” he alleged, adding that they are contemplating submitting documents to the SIT too.
Gundu Rao alleged that the manipulation was “systematic” and politically motivated. “They have indulged in voter manipulation and have tweaked the system to their benefit. They have done this to delete voters or roll voters—there is no doubt,” he said.
Asked if he believed similar manipulation had taken place in other parts of Bengaluru Central and whether the Congress candidate would have won if these alleged irregularities were addressed, Rao said, “I don’t know. The BJP has a good organisation in the RSS and Sangh Parivar; they may have done in places they are strong. This is no different from booth capturing like we used to see earlier.”
He went on to accuse the BJP of colluding with officials. “The BJP is doing this fraud either in collusion with the Election Commission or through local officers,” he alleged.
Weighing in on the ongoing debate within the Congress over a possible change of guard—with names like Dr G Parameshwara and KH Muniyappa being mentioned as contenders—Gundu Rao brushed aside speculation. “I don’t think anybody is putting their hat in the ring—there is no vacancy. We have a powerful Chief Minister in Siddaramaiah. What more do we need? Siddaramaiah has said whatever the party decides, he will do what the party asks,” he said.
Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously worked with t…Read More
Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously worked with t… Read More
October 29, 2025, 18:44 IST
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