The Karnataka BJP and the state’s Congress unit accused each other of violating the model code of conduct, lodging complaints with the state election commission in this regard on Friday, 30 March.
According to PTI, the BJP accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of “bribing openly”.
The complaint, signed by BJP General Secretary Ravi Kumar said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was canvassing at Chamundeshwari constituency at Mysore on 29 March and that during election campaigning, in 'utter violation' of the poll conduct, paid Rs 2,000 each to two women who welcomed him.
Referring to local newspaper reports in this regard, it said that in the same village, Siddaramaiah deposited Rs 2,000 in cash to the Archak (priest) who performed pooja in the temple premises, thereby violating the model code of conduct.
Stating that this act of Siddaramaiah amounts to bribery under Representation of People Act, as well as under Section 171 of the Indian Penal Code, the complaint said,
Though this fact is circulated in almost all electronic and print media, the concerned officials have not taken any action. Hence we request you to direct initiation of stringent action and oblige.
The Congress, meanwhile, has accused BJP president Amit Shah, along with former CM BS Yeddyurappa, of offering ‘financial aid’ to the family of a party worker who was murdered two years ago.
According to an Economic Times report, the Congress, in its complaint, said that Shah, Yeddyurappa, and several other leaders from the party visited the murdered worker’s house and handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakh to the family, terming it a “gross violation of the model code”.
According to the ET report, the worker had been killed in clashes stemming from a disputed place of worship, situated in a communally sensitive area in Mysuru. The worker’s mother reportedly said that Shah had promised an NIA investigation “when BJP came into power”, apart from the Rs 5 lakh aid.
(with inputs from PTI)
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