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BJP Leaders Accuse Returning Officer of Stalling Election of Dy Mayor in Vijayapura City Corporation

Vijayapura: BJP leaders have accused the Returning Officer of succumbing to pressure from Congress leaders and deliberately stalling the election process during the Deputy Mayor election in Vijayapura City Corporation.

In a letter to the State Election Commission, BJP legal cell state convener Vasanth Kumar, MLCs S Keshav Prasad and N Ravi Kumar have demanded action against the Returning Officer and urged the Commission to resume the election process immediately.

The election to choose the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Vijayapura City Corporation was held on January 27, 2025.

While the Mayor’s election proceeded without issues, BJP leaders have alleged irregularities in the election process for the Deputy Mayor. According to the letter, after recording votes in favor of BJP candidate Sumitra Raju Jadhav, the Returning Officer allegedly deviated from protocol by asking members opposing Congress candidate Vimala to cast their votes instead of requesting votes against the BJP candidate.

This alleged procedural lapse led to disruptions in the council hall. BJP leaders claim that Congress members, led by District In-charge Minister MB Patil, created chaos, raised slogans, and pressured the Returning Officer to halt the election.

Despite BJP representatives, including MLAs and MPs, urging the Returning Officer to continue the process and address any mistakes, the election was postponed. BJP leaders stated that the Returning Officer admitted to a “slip of the tongue” but failed to rectify it and deferred the election under political pressure.

In their letter, BJP leaders alleged that the entire thing was a deliberate move by Congress to prevent the BJP candidate from being elected.

“All BJP members were present at the venue until 5.30 pm, ready to complete the process. However, the Returning Officer, influenced by Congress leaders, stalled the election,” the letter claimed.

The BJP leaders have demanded strict disciplinary action against the Returning Officer and intervention from the State Election Commission to resume the election. They also called for action against Minister M.B. Patil and Congress members for allegedly orchestrating the disruption.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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