'Reprimanded' Eshwarappa booked again for inducing voters

BANGALORE: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa has courted fresh trouble.

Close on the heels of the Election Commission reprimanding him for violating the model code of conduct in connection with his alleged hate speech and asked him to be cautious in future, an FIR has now been filed against him for offering "large amounts" during "arti" performed by women during his electioneering in parts of Shimoga.

"An FIR was lodged yesterday against Eshwarappa for offering large amounts during 'arti'.There is video recording and evidence. An inquiry is on", Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha told reporters here this evening.

The act by Eshwarappa, who holds the Rural Development and Panchyat Raj and Revenue portfolios in the Jagadish Shettar cabinet, and a former BJP state unit President, allegedly amounts to inducing prospective voters, EC officials said.

Eshwarappa, seeking re-election from Shimoga, had been booked for allegedly inciting communal feelings and promoting hatred and ill-will between different classes in society in a speech on April nine while campaigning.

Meanwhile, he was today granted anticipatory bail by a local court in Shimoga on his petition fearing arrest in connection with an FIR against him for the alleged hate speech.

The relief from the court came on a personal bond of Rs 25,000 and an undertaking that he would follow the Election Code of Conduct for the May 5 Assembly polls strictly and not make any inflammatory public speech.