MCC violation: BJP’s Tejaswi Surya and K Sudhakar booked by Election Commission | Latest news India

Bangalore: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has filed cases against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates Tejasvi Surya from Bengaluru and K Sudhakar from Chikkaballapura constituency for allegedly violating the Fashion Code of Conduct during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Surya, who is contesting from Bengaluru South PC, has been booked under Section 123(3) of corrupt practices, while Sudhakar has been booked for attempting to bribe voters and undue influence, officials privy to the matter said.

Officials said a case was registered against Surya at Jayanagar police station in Bengaluru after his social media post allegedly sought votes on religious grounds.

Highlighting the violation, Karnataka chief electoral officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Meena said, “A case has been filed against Tejasvi Surya MP and candidate of Bengaluru South PC on 25.04.24 at Jayanagar PS u/s 123(3) for posting a video in

Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act (RPA) prohibits appeals to voters based on, among other things, religion. Surya’s post with Ram Lalla’s Surya Tilak in Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir sparked controversy due to its perceived religious appeal.

This came after Surya shared a video of Ram Lalla’s Surya Tilak at Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir and posted, “Our generation was blessed to witness the majestic Surya Tilak at Bhagwan Shri Ram at Ayodhya on Ram Navami. A wait of almost 500 years and a wish of crores of Bharatiyas was fulfilled by Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji. For Bharatiyata to survive, vote for BJP! #DakshinakkeSurya”.

The South Bengaluru MP did not respond to calls for response.

Sudhakar, on the other hand, faced allegations of bribery and undue influence, with cash worth Rs.4.8 crore seized from the Flying Squads Team (FST) in Chikkaballapur.

The Election Commission confirmed the seizure and registration of a first information report against Sudhakar under relevant legal provisions.

CEO Meena said, “The Chikkaballapura FST has seized cash to the tune of Rs.4.8 crore. An FIR has also been registered by the state surveillance team of Chikkaballapur LS constituency against K Sudhakar, BJP candidate, on April 25 at Madanayakanahally police station.”

Meanwhile, Vasanth Kumar, lawyer and legal cell convenor of the BJP, said they had filed five complaints against opposition candidates with the Election Commission on Friday for violating the MCC.

“Today, five complaints have been filed with the Election Commission. One is investigating and talking to workers by CM Siddaramaiah at a polling booth in Mysuru…another complaint is at a polling booth in Kolar constituency, an ex-councilor Venkatesh is distributing money to voters, another complaint is AICC (All India Congress Committee ) youth president Srinivas is protesting… today is election day, so he is violating the Model Code of Conduct,” Kumar said.