A case has been registered against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct during the Lok Sabha election campaign. This action followed a complaint lodged with the Election Commission by BJP MLA Ashwath Narayan, who accused Shivakumar of engaging in what he termed a "business deal with the voters."
The FIR was filed under pertinent sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including those concerning "bribery" and "undue influence at elections," as confirmed by the state's Chief Electoral Officer.
The BJP's Karnataka unit had accused DK Shivakumar of breaching election conduct rules by purportedly promising water supply in exchange for votes for the Congress party.
In response, Shivakumar refuted the allegations, stating that he was merely conveying to the people that the Congress government was committed to addressing their concerns.
"We are committed to resolving the issues... It is our responsibility, and we are fulfilling it. I want to reassure them that we are dedicated to addressing their problems, and we will do whatever it takes to provide them with water..." Shivakumar asserted.
It's noteworthy that this isn't the first instance of the BJP raising objections against the Congress leader. Earlier this month, the BJP filed a complaint against Shivakumar, alleging that he made "false and unsubstantiated" statements about the BJP's involvement in the downfall of a "Vokkaliga Chief Minister."
The mention of a "Vokkaliga Chief Minister" was a reference to former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy. In 2019, the BJP came to power following the collapse of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government led by Kumaraswamy.
The complaint contended that Shivakumar violated the Model Code of Conduct by making baseless allegations, thereby exploiting the caste and communal sentiments, particularly of the Vokkaliga community.
