Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, BJP chief Amit Shah accused of poll code violation

BJP and Congress in Karnataka approached the Election Commission on Friday, accusing each other’s leaders of violating the model code of conduct by paying money to woo voters.

Congress found fault with BJP national president Amit Shah and CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa for offering financial aid to the family of a party worker murdered two years ago. BJP said chief minister Siddaramaiah gave Rs 2,000 each to two women who welcomed him at Chamundeshwari, the constituency from where he is expected to contest the upcoming election, alleging that it amounted to “bribery”.

BJP also objected to Congress leader giving Rs 2,000 in cash to a temple priest. “Though the fact is circulated in all electronic and print media, the concerned officials have not taken action,” the BJP’s complaint said.


Congress, in its complaint to the commission, said Shah visited the slain youth’s family along with Yeddyurappa, Union minister Anantkumar and Mysuru MP Pratap Simha, and handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakh in “gross violation of the model code”.

The youth was killed at a communally sensitive area of Kyathmaranahalli in the Narasimharaja assembly constituency in Mysuru over a disputed place of worship. His mother said Shah promised to give her Rs 5 lakh as compensation and that her son’s case would be handed over to NIA “once BJP comes to power in Karnataka”.