BJP Rajya Sabha member Lahar Singh Siroya has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to investigate an audio clip allegedly featuring Congress MLA for Arsikere K.M. Shivalinge Gowda discussing cash distribution for voters during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Citing his earlier complaint on former Union Minister C.M. Ibrahim’s admission of buying 3,000 votes to ensure Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s victory in the 2018 Assembly elections from Badami, Mr. Lahar Singh said: “These repeated revelations expose the Congress’ deep-rooted vote chori culture, even as its leader Rahul Gandhi accuses others of electoral malpractice.”
“Now, there is another audio making news in my State (I have not independently verified the authenticity of the audio). In this clip, Mr. Shivalinge Gowda is heard speaking, apparently to a Congress Rajya Sabha MP, on how much money should be distributed per voter in the Hassan Lok Sabha seat to ensure their candidate’s victory. This was in connection with the 2024 Lok Sabha polls,” he said.
Taking a dig at Mr. Rahul Gandhi, he said: “The irony is that Mr. Rahul Gandhi is shouting vote chori unaware that his own partymen are masters in the game. The fact that Mr. Rahul Gandhi makes wild allegations without worrying about what his party and partymen are all about is proof that he is desperately trying to remain relevant in the Indian political landscape.”
Mr. Lahar Singh appealed to the ECI to probe the audio clip along with his earlier complaint related to purchase of 3,000 votes.
Published – August 17, 2025 10:32 pm IST
