Karnataka Elections: EC files case against BJP's Tejasvi Surya for 'soliciting votes on ground of religion'

A case has been registered against Tejasvi Surya, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) and candidate for Bangalore South, for allegedly posting a video on a social media platform and soliciting votes based on religion, as announced by the Election Commission on Friday. Surya is contesting against Sowmya Reddy, the Congress candidate and daughter of Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.

The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer, in a statement on the microblogging website X, stated, "Case is booked against Tejasvi Surya MP and candidate of Bengaluru South PC on April 25 at Jayanagar police station for posting a video on X handle and soliciting votes on the grounds of religion."

The case has been filed with the Jayanagar police station in Bengaluru.


Meanwhile, Vasanth Kumar, Advocate and BJP legal cell Convenor said that five complaints were lodged with the Election Commission today.

"Today 5 complaints were lodged with the Election Commission. One is canvassing and speaking to workers by CM Siddaramaiah inside a polling booth in Mysuru...another complaint is, in a polling booth in Kolar constituency, one ex-councillor Venkatesh is distributing cash to voters, another complaint is AICC Youth President Srinivas is protesting...today is polling day so he is violating Model Code of Conduct," Vasanth Kumar said.

Political Contest in Bengaluru South
The Congress party has fielded Sowmya Reddy in the Bengaluru South constituency, setting the stage for a closely watched electoral battle.

Appeal for Voting
Surya also highlighted the importance of voting, especially among the youth. He remarked, "Today is a celebration day in Karnataka. It is a festival of democracy. Millions of people will go out and vote... This is not just a right, but also a duty, because if we don't vote, we are not registering our voice, and contributing meaningfully to a democracy."

"Today is a celebration day in Karnataka. It is a festival of democracy. Millions of people will go out and vote... This is not just a right, but also a duty, because if we don't vote, we are not registering our voice, and contributing meaningfully to a democracy," he told ANI. Karnataka voting on 14 seats today in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections. This phase had 88 Lok Sabha constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories. According to the Election Commission, over 15.88 crore people cast their votes in the second phase.

Voting in Karnataka
The second phase of Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka witnessed significant voter turnout. Over 15.88 crore people cast their votes in this phase, which covered 88 Lok Sabha constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories.

After casting his vote, Surya spoke to reporters, expressing his views on the Congress party's performance in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. He said, "Congress party has become absolutely frustrated. Survey after survey shows that it may not win more than 30 seats... The more personal attacks and baseless allegations they make against the PM (Narendra Modi), history has shown that the Prime Minister has only got stronger and the BJP has only got more popular."

Karnataka is voting on 14 seats today in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections.

The second phase has 88 Lok Sabha constituencies across 13 States/Union Territory, including 13 in Rajasthan, 20 in Kerala, eight in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, six in Madhya Pradesh, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one each in Tripura, Manipur, and Jammu and Kashmir.

34.8 lakh first-time voters are registered to cast their votes. Additionally, there are 3.28 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years. 1202 candidates (males: 1098; females: 102; third gender: 02) are in the fray.