Congress demands resignation of CM Bommai, judicial probe into ‘theft’ of voter data in Bengaluru

Permission was granted to Chilume Educational Cultural and Rural Development Trust for house-to-house awareness campaign about filing online applications via the voter helpline mobile app

Senior Congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala, Siddaramaiah and D. K. Shivakumar on Thursday alleged the “40% Commission Sarkara” in Karnataka has now corrupted the election process by stealing the voter data in Bengaluru by granting permission to a private agency for house-to-house survey to create awareness on filing online applications via the voter helpline mobile app. The agency was found to be collecting personal data from voters during its visits.

Speaking at a press conference at the KPCC office here, they alleged that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, BJP government and its officials, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the election authority are together in trampling democracy.

They demanded resignation of Mr. Bommai and a judicial probe into theft of voter data by a private agency — Chilume Educational Cultural and Rural Development Trust. The Congress also demanded that an FIR be immediately lodged against Mr. Bommai and all other officials involved in the process.

“A fair investigation can only take place within a time-bound limit of 30 days under direct supervision and control of Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court,” the Congress said.

BBMP Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath, who is also the election officer, was responsible for compromising the integrity of the process. The private entity, Chilume Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. and DAP Hombale Pvt. Ltd and its officers and directors were responsible for the theft of voter data, Congress leaders claimed.

Meanwhile, the BBMP on Wednesday said it had cancelled the permission to Chilume Educational Cultural and Rural Development Trust for its house-to-house voter awareness drive.

BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath in the release said, “The trust has violated the conditions of the permission. Therefore, the permission has been withdrawn with immediate effect.... We appeal to the public not to share their voter ID details with the representatives of the trust.”