BJP files complaint against Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy for 'code of conduct violation'

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 18 : The BJP in Bengaluru South on Thursday lodged a complaint against Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy and others for violating the Model of Conduct.
According to a press release from BJP leader Tejaswi Surya's office, the complaint by Gajendra S, the election agent for Bengaluru South BJP, alleges that Congress workers were inducing voters in BTM Layout to produce their Aadhar for a 'Guarantee Card'. The complaint further says that such voters were informed that they would be given bonds of Rs 1 lakh after the elections.
Submitting photographs of the same to the Election Commission of India, the BJP said in its complaint "This is to bring to your kind notice that, the Congress Party leaders, including its candidate Sowmya Reddy, Former BBMP Mayor Manjunath Reddy and others are violating the Model Code of Conduct, provisions of the IPC, 1860 and the Representation of People Act, 1951 by inducing voters belonging to the 26 - Bangalore South Parliamentary Constituency."
The complaint further said, "On 17.04.2024, Congress Leader Manjunath Reddy and other leaders, on the instructions of the Congress Candidate Sowmya Reddy were found inducing voters from economically weaker sections of the society in BTM Layout Assembly Constituency by compelling them to provide their Aadhaar Cards and other personal information in return for a Guarantee Card and promised voters that in case they provided the said details, they will be given bonds of Rs 1 lakh after the elections. This has been captured in photographs and videos. The photographs depicting the same are provided below for your kind perusal."
These actions, the complaint said, amounted to a violation of Clause II.(1) of the Model Code of Conduct which bans candidates from offering or promising any gratification to any person for a vote. It also violated Section 123 of the IPC as candidates, their agents, and others cannot offer or promise any gratification for a vote.
"It is pertinent to note that the 'Guarantee Cards' which are being signed and provided as a promise of payment of money post elections would also amount to any agreement to receive gratification as a reward for voting in a particular way. Therefore, such action on the party of the Congress Leaders would also amount to bribery," the complaint said, urging the officials to register an FIR and take appropriate action.
Earlier, on April 13, BJP candidate Tejasvi Surya accused the Congress Party of attempting to bribe voters in Bengaluru South. This was after the ECI seized Rs 1.34 crore of unaccounted cash from two cars and a two-wheeler in Jayanagar 4th Block. The owners of the vehicles are purportedly close to Congress leaders, with Surya indicating that it was a cash-for-votes exercise in place by the Congress.