Thu Sep 18 15:22:22 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:

**Summary:**

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of obstructing an investigation into fraudulent attempts to delete eligible voters from electoral rolls in the Aland constituency of Kalaburagi district. He alleges that this is part of a larger conspiracy to undermine democracy and accuses the ECI of protecting the guilty by withholding crucial technical data requested by the Karnataka CID. He claims the attempts to delete voters disproportionately impacted Congress strongholds. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also expressed suspicion of the ECI’s potential involvement in the conspiracy.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka CM Accuses ECI of Obstructing Voter Fraud Investigation, Alleges Conspiracy**

**BENGALURU, September 18, 2025** – Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing the body of deliberately obstructing an investigation into alleged widespread voter roll manipulation in the Aland constituency of Kalaburagi district.

The Chief Minister, echoing concerns raised by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, claims that thousands of fraudulent applications were filed to delete eligible voters from the Aland electoral roll between 2022 and 2023. He asserts that the incident is not isolated but indicative of a larger, more sinister plot to subvert Indian democracy through “vote chori.”

Siddaramaiah alleges that stolen voter details, fake logins, and mobile numbers from outside Karnataka were used to impersonate applicants and target entire families for deletion without their knowledge. The Karnataka CID is investigating the matter.

“The ECI has refused to share relevant data despite repeated requests from the Karnataka CID,” Siddaramaiah stated in a press conference held earlier today. “We have asked for technical details including destination IPs, device ports, and OTP trails, which are essential to identify the origin of this operation and the individuals behind it.”

He further alleges that the ECI dismissed the charges as baseless and claimed no deletions could occur without due process, despite the evidence presented by Rahul Gandhi. This evidence, Siddaramaiah asserts, shows software was used to impersonate voters, insert fake numbers, and concentrate deletions in Congress strongholds.

“The truth is simple: BJP attempts vote chori, and the Election Commission is blocking the investigation,” the Chief Minister declared. “By refusing to share data, the ECI is protecting the guilty instead of protecting democracy.”

Siddaramaiah has demanded that the ECI immediately hand over all technical details to the CID within one week, threatening to expose the commission as complicit in shielding those who are destroying democracy if they fail to comply.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar further fueled the controversy, stating that the alleged non-cooperation by the ECI has raised suspicions that it, too, could be part of the conspiracy. Shivakumar also indicated that the party’s state unit has provided complete details on the Aland episode to the high command, alleging similar incidents have taken place in other constituencies.

The accusations have sent shockwaves through the political landscape, raising serious questions about the integrity of the electoral process. The ECI has yet to respond to the specific allegations. The investigation by the Karnataka CID is ongoing.

Read More