MP and Ballari Lok Sabha Congress candidate Ugrappa chose not to vote in the first phase of Karnataka polls on Thursday. The reasons being cited are that he was busy campaigning in the region. But the irony is that he always talks about democracy and the Constitution but fails to practice what he preaches
Bengaluru: On April 18, when the first phase of Karnataka Lok Sabha polls took place, one could see senior citizens, some of them were even physically challenged, come out of their houses and vote. Some of them were even brought to the polling stations on stretchers. That indeed speaks volumes about their responsibility and rights.
But one man, rather an MP himself was conspicuous with his absence. Congress’s VS Ugrappa, the man in question, is an MP from Ballari. Considered to be one of the most well-educated and knowledgeable Congressmen, he was given a ticket to contest based on these traits.
But as it happened, he did not turn out to cast his vote. Ugrappa is a registered voter from Bommanahalli, a segment in the prestigious Bengaluru South constituency. At a time when the Election Commission (EC) and various political parties urged the citizens to come and cast their votes, Ugrappa chose to refrain himself from voting. Ironically, Ugrappa had urged several people in the past to come and cast their vote as it is a holy exercise. But he certainly has not practiced what he preaches.
Ugrappa, who is again contesting from the same constituency of Ballari was busy campaigning in the area on Thursday. However, what’s interesting is that former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, who also actively campaigned in Ballari, chose to go back to Mysuru and cast his vote, along with his son.
“Congress leader VS Ugrappa is an MP. He is also an advocate of the Karnataka high court. He always talks of the Constitution, the rule of law and democratic values. He advises others to stick to democratic principles. Interestingly, he himself has not voted. He may say he is a candidate from Ballari. But Shobha Karndlaje is an MP from Udupi-Chikkamagaluru. She came to vote and then went back. There are employees who apply leave paying huge fares. When people have taken upon themselves to vote, what made him not to vote? This reeks of hypocrisy. He doesn’t practice what he preaches,” said Hemanth Kumar, a political analyst.
All phone calls to reach Ugrappa on this issue went unanswered.
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