KJ George Launches Signature Campaign against ‘Vote Chori’ in Sarvagnanagar

Bengaluru, October 18, 2025: Energy Minister and Sarvagnanagar MLA K.J. George has strongly condemned the BJP’s alleged ‘Vote Chori’, calling it a “massacre of democracy.” He said that the Congress will take the fight to every doorstep to expose the BJP’s misuse of power at the Centre.

Speaking at a signature collection campaign organised by the Pradesh Congress Committee at Banaswadi in Sarvajnanagar constituency, Mr George said, “Our leader Rahul Gandhi has produced documentary evidence of this before the Election Commission. However, the Commission has failed to respond seriously or take action on these revelations.”

He asserted that the Congress’s campaign against Vote Chori will not stop: “Neither the Election Commission nor the BJP can silence our fight for democracy. We will continue this signature campaign, and inform the public about the BJP’s misuse of power and backdoor politics,” he said.

Mr George described the Vote Chori in the Mahadevapura Assembly Constituency during the last Lok Sabha elections as “not just a blow to the Congress but a serious threat to democracy itself.”

“In Karnataka, the BJP, which seized power without a public mandate, now stands exposed. Its governance rests on vote manipulation, not on the support of the people,” he said.

Recalling the legacy of Congress’s commitment to democracy, Mr George said: “Congress has always respected the democratic mandate. Even when faced with electoral setbacks, Indira Gandhi upheld that principle—later, the people of Chikkamagaluru gave her renewed strength by electing her to the Lok Sabha,” the minister recalled.

“Congress does not engage in politics based on caste or religion. Our focus is on development and uplifting the backward and marginalised sections of society. The guarantee schemes implemented in Karnataka are inclusive and not based on any caste or religious lines. Benefits are being extended to all eligible citizens, regardless of community,” he said.

He also underlined the State’s contribution to national progress: “Karnataka ranks second in the country in tax contribution and first in per capita income. To strengthen social justice and inclusive growth, a socio-educational-economic survey is underway. Everyone’s cooperation is essential to make this census effective,” he added.

Congress leader Abdul Wajid said that the Congress’s fight against vote fraud will intensify: “It is not enough to sign a petition; we will reach every household to expose the BJP’s vote manipulation. The voter IDs seized during the SIT raid on the residence of former MLA of Aland Subhash Guttedar have clearly revealed the BJP’s vote fraud,” he said.

He informed that, under the instructions of Minister K.J. George, BLC members and Congress workers have collected over 35,000 signatures across 10 wards in Sarvajnanagar.

“The campaign will continue. We will ensure a Vote Guarantee in the upcoming Greater Bengaluru Authority elections by identifying bogus votes and demanding strict action,” he stated.

Ward Presidents Raghu Devaraj, Pulakeshi, Sumitra, and leaders Mohan Menon and several thousand Congress workers participated in the campaign.