Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 30 : Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka on Wednesday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his planned protest in the state, accusing him of spreading false claims of electoral malpractice and questioning his motive.
Addressing a press conference, the BJP leader said, "Rahul Gandhi is coming to protest in Karnataka, claiming there was electoral malpractice. But during the Lok Sabha elections, it was the District Commissioners, appointed by the government itself, who handled the process. What face does Rahul Gandhi have to protest now?"
He added that if there were any genuine complaints, Congress should have filed them within 45 days of the election. "If there was malpractice, he could have filed a complaint within 45 days of the election. Rahul Gandhi should have had at least this basic common sense," he said.
Ashoka further alleged that Congress is casting doubt on the Election Commission without any proof and is trying to mislead the public. "Congress has not shown any evidence of malpractice. What moral right do they have to protest?" he asked.
He also claimed that the Congress-led Karnataka government does not allow the BJP to protest, but is giving permission for Rahul Gandhi's rally. "For two years, we haven't been allowed to protest in any part of Bengaluru. So now we will also protest on the same route as theirs," Ashoka said.
He claimed the Congress protest is aimed at influencing voters ahead of the Bihar elections. "This is nothing but a drama to put pressure on the Election Commission in hopes of winning in Bihar," he said.
Earlier on July 28, Karnataka opposition leader R Ashoka alleged that the rise of the drug mafia in Mysuru is a direct contribution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Speaking to reporters, he said that the drug mafia has raised its head in Mysuru, the home district of CM Siddaramaiah.
He questioned what the Home Department was doing when there is a drug factory operating in Mysuru, stating that the government has not yet woken up to the issue. He further asked who the owner was, who had provided the land, and who had allowed a business worth hundreds of crores to flourish, accusing the government of turning a blind eye. This, he said, is Siddaramaiah's contribution.