Votes ‘Bought' For Siddaramaiah? BJP MP Seeks Probe Into 2018 Badami Election
A political storm is brewing in Karnataka following revelations by former Janata Dal (Secular) state president, CM Ibrahim, about alleged vote buying during the 2018 assembly elections. The issue has been brought to the fore by BJP Member of Parliament Lahar Singh Siroya, who has formally petitioned the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to investigate the matter.
In a letter to the CEC, Siroya urged the commission to take cognizance of Ibrahim's 'revelations of gross electoral corruption". The controversy stems from a video clip of Ibrahim, a prominent political figure, where he claimed to have 'purchased" 3,000 votes for chief minister Siddaramaiah, who was contesting from the Badami constituency.
Speaking at an event in Mysuru, Ibrahim recounted a conversation with Siddaramaiah after his lead had dwindled significantly. 'His lead came down from 10,000 to 1,000. I told him he will win by 1,000 odd votes, we took a loan and we have purchased 3,000 votes. I have no fear telling this," Ibrahim stated. He also claimed that Siddaramaiah had paid for the purchase, albeit six months later.
Siddaramaiah, in response to the allegations, distanced himself from Ibrahim's claims. 'Is CM Ibrahim in our party? It's a different matter that we were together then," he said, downplaying his association with Ibrahim during the 2018 elections. Siddaramaiah also stated that he had only campaigned for one day in Badami after filing his nomination.
The numbers from the 2018 election add a layer of complexity to the situation. Siddaramaiah's victory margin in Badami was a narrow 1,696 votes. Notably, the number of NOTA (None of the Above) votes cast was 2,007, exceeding his victory margin. This was also the election where Siddaramaiah lost his traditional seat of Chamundeshwari.
In his letter, Siroya highlighted Ibrahim's prominent role in the Congress party in 2018. 'Ibrahim was a prominent Congress leader in 2018, and by all references and claims, was in charge of his friend's election," Siroya wrote. He further called on Ibrahim to 'do us a great favour if he tells us how, and from whom, he purchased the 3,000 votes to save his friend".
The BJP MP emphasised the gravity of the situation, noting that the allegations come from a former lawmaker and Union minister. Siroya's letter seeks a thorough investigation by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ascertain the facts and hold those responsible accountable for what he terms 'electoral corruption". The development has brought the 2018 Badami election back into the spotlight, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
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August 12, 2025, 15:48 IST
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