Mallikarjun Kharge Accused of Hiding Information in Election Affidavit, Complaint Filed

A complaint has been filed with the Karnataka Assembly Secretariat against Congress president and Rajya Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge, alleging that he failed to disclose key financial information related to the Siddartha Vihar Trust in his election affidavit, Form 26, submitted during the Rajya Sabha election. Social activist Dinesh Kallahalli made the allegation, claiming that Kharge did not mention the trust’s assets, financial interests, or related details in the affidavit, even though the trust’s net worth was reportedly around Rs 36.86 crore as of March 31, 2023.

According to the complaint, Siddartha Vihar Trust is based in Kalaburagi and Kharge is said to be its founder. Kallahalli has argued that candidates contesting elections are required to provide complete and accurate disclosure of their assets and financial interests. He has cited the Representation of the People Act, 1951, along with several Supreme Court judgments on electoral transparency, to support his claim that any concealment of material information, whether intentional or accidental, deserves scrutiny.

The complainant has urged the Karnataka Assembly Secretariat to conduct a legal review of the matter and examine trustee details, audit reports, income tax documents, and other financial records to determine whether all required disclosures were made in the election affidavit. He said a proper inquiry is needed to establish whether any information was withheld or left incomplete.

Kallahalli alleged that Kharge, while contesting the Rajya Sabha election through the Karnataka Assembly, gave incomplete information in Form 26 and omitted details about the trust, which he said had an estimated net worth of nearly Rs 36 crore. He further stated that the Supreme Court has repeatedly made it clear that candidates must disclose all assets and interests in a full and accurate manner.

He also said that if the investigation confirms any concealment or incomplete disclosure, appropriate legal action should be taken under the relevant provisions. So far, no official response has been issued by Mallikarjun Kharge or the Congress party regarding the complaint.

With the complaint now on record, attention will turn to whether the Karnataka Assembly Secretariat initiates a preliminary inquiry or legal examination. The case comes amid ongoing debate over transparency in election affidavits and the extent to which candidates must disclose financial holdings, assets, and related interests during the electoral process.