The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) lodged a complaint with the Election Commission on Saturday, requesting legal measures against B Y Vijayendra, the State President of BJP. They accused him of making remarks regarding the guarantee schemes of the government led by Siddaramaiah.

The case is in connection with a purported viral video of Shivakumar, where he is seen seeking votes from residents of a housing society in Bengaluru’s RR Nagar. He allegedly promised them a regular water supply, a CA site, and other benefits if they voted for his brother, DK Suresh.

In a letter to the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer, the Congress party stated that during his speeches at election gatherings in Mandya and Chikkaballapura on April 17th, Vijayendra explicitly criticised the five assurances - Gruhajyothi, Gruhalakshmi, Yuvanidhi, Shakti Yojana, and Annabhagya - implemented by the state government.

"He contended in his statement that because of the five guarantees, the state government has become bankrupt and if the voters are not going to vote in favour of the BJP candidates in Karnataka, the BJP will stop five guarantees after the Parliament elections, suggesting in his statement that the BJP will come to power in Karnataka after the Parliament elections," KPCC alleged in the letter.

The letter further said that Vijayendra has issued warnings to the electorate in Karnataka, particularly in Mandya and Chikkaballapura, in order to advance the electoral chances of candidates running under the BJP and JDS banners.

"The statement of BY Vijayendra is in violation of the Model Code of Conduct, the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1951, and the provisions of the Indian Penal Code," it claimed.

The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has appealed to the election commission to acknowledge Vijayendra's remarks and instruct relevant authorities to file a criminal case against the BJP State President, advocating for his prosecution in the pursuit of ensuring free and fair elections in Karnataka.

Image source: Economic Times