BBMP polls: MLA getting voter IDs for Bangladeshis, claims former corporator NR Ramesh

Bengaluru: Former Yediyur ward corporator N.R. Ramesh alleged that in the last two months, nearly 10,000 Bangladesh immigrants were included in the electoral rolls and of them 3,000 have been issued Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs).

Mr Ramesh told the media on Monday that nearly 4,000 immigrants have been made eligible to vote in this election. “More than 3,000 immigrants even possess voters IDs. How can Bangladeshis be given voter identities in India,” he questioned.

These immigrants even had government documents, like Aadhaar and ration cards. “The benefits meant for the poor in our country are being enjoyed by these illegal immigrants,” he alleged. He said that more than 40,000 illegal immigrants have been staying in areas around Outer Ring Road. He alleged that K.R Puram MLA Byrati Basavaraju was helping these immigrants get EPIC and other identity cards.

“Revenue inspectors and tax inspectors of all the nine wards in the K.R Puram constituency are hand-in-glove with the MLA and are working as per his instructions. Earlier, they had also helped these immigrants get other documents. They pay them meagre amounts and make them cast votes,” he said.

He alleged that the Congress was indulging in vote bank politics in a desperate attempt to win the elections. “The MLA and his aides are creating fake rental agreements to help the immigrants get voter IDs. It’s is putting the country’s security at threat,” Mr Ramesh said. He has filed a complaint against Mr Basavaraju, BBMP officials and others, with the Director General of Police, City Police Commissioner, BBMP administrator and commissioner, he said.