Karnataka: Tejasvi Surya booked on polling day for ‘soliciting votes on religious grounds’

The Election Commission on Friday booked a case against BJP MP from Bengaluru South Tejasvi Surya for “soliciting votes on the ground of religion,” the same day his constituency went to the polls, according to a post on the X handle of Karnataka chief election officer.


The BJP candidate from Bengaluru South had posted a video of the Ayodhya Ram Temple on social media platform X the day before, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted the wishes of crores of Indians.



“Our generation was blessed to witness the majestic Surya Tilak on Bhagwan Shri Ram at Ayodhya on Ram Navami. A wait for almost 500 years and a wish of crores of Bharatiyas was fulfilled by PM Narendra Modi. For Bharatiyata to survive, vote for BJP,” he said.


Surya is contesting the LS polls against Congress’ Soumya Reddy, the daughter of state transport minister Ramalinga Reddy. Earlier in the day, Surya had encouraged BJP supporters to come out and vote, saying the Congress party’s supporters voted in droves, driving down the BJP’s percentage. “We the BJP voters are 80 per cent but only 20 per cent come out and vote. Congress’ voters are 20 per cent but they come out and vote 80 per cent. This is the ground reality at the polling booths in most cases. Every single vote of yours matters.,” he said.