BJP worker accompanies ECI officials during vote from home drive: Karnataka Congress candidate files complaint

Meanwhile, seizure of ₹1.3 crore unaccounted cash in Bangalore South sparked off a row with BJP and Congress accusing each other of malpractice.

South First Desk

Published Apr 13, 2024 | 11:03 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 13, 2024 | 11:03 PM

Complaint letter from Praveen Peter (left), BJP worker Kiran Naidu (right). (Supplied)

The complaint by Praveen Peter, and Kiran Naidu (right). (Supplied)

Congress’ Bangalore Central Lok Sabha candidate, Mansoor Ali Khan, lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday, 13 April.

He alleged that a BJP booth agent, identified as Kiran Naidu, had accompanied ECI officials during the postal voting process of elderly citizens.

Complaints filed with EC

Praveen Peter, KPCC General Secretary, who filed the official complaint on Khan’s behalf, told South First, “A BJP booth agent had accompanied EC officers to about 6-7 houses. Booth agents are not allowed to enter houses.”

Complaint letter from Jayavardhan. (Supplied)

He added, “There is also a micro observer to observe what is happening. However, both the EC officers and the micro observer failed in their duty by allowing the BJP agent to enter these homes and prompt the voters. This is a violation of the rights of the voter.”

Firing a round at the ECI, he said, “We have lost faith in the Election Commission system. On the ground, the EC officers take this job very casually. They think nobody can pull them up. This time, we are taking things seriously. We will be filing a police complaint soon and will ensure that a charge sheet is filed.”

In addition to the Congress’ complaint, another complaint was filed by a resident of Rajajinagar, Jayavardhan VM.

An advocate, Jayavardhan wrote in his complaint, “The polling officer was not carrying any identity card issued from ECI and it was informed by the officer that the same was lost. It should also be noted that the BJP worker was going inside the polling houses which is actually violating the election code.”

He added that the Revenue Inspector of the locality himself had brought the BJP worker and was taking him inside the voters’ houses where the polling was being conducted.

“Such incidences will not create a free and fair election. We request you to kindly take action against the polling officers, Revenur Inspector, and also the BJP worker Mr Kiran Naidu, who was influencing the voters inside the polling houses,” he said in his complaint.

Also Read: ECI suspends 106 T’gana govt employees for poll code violation

Cash seized in Bangalore South

Seized bags of cash. (Supplied)

In a recent development under the Bangalore South Lok Sabha Constituency, Election Commission officials seized two cars and a bike in the Jayanagar area. The seizure was prompted by the discovery of cash in bags, with the total amount exceeding a staggering ₹1.34 crore

The operation unfolded when EC officials, acting on a tip-off, swiftly moved to intercept two vehicles suspected of carrying cash.

Nikita, the MCC Nodal Officer, recounted the events to South First, “We received a tip that there were two vehicles carrying large amounts of cash. I reached the spot before the rest of the team.”

“I saw a person on a bike giving cash to another person in a Fortuner car. I went over and asked them to show me what was handed over. They claimed it was something else. When they realised that I was with the EC, they fled the spot. Then, my team arrived and we seized two cars and a bike, and the bags of cash,” she added.

The seized money and the vehicles were brought to the local police station for further investigation and counting. Additionally, IT officials have initiated an investigation.

Meanwhile, a political slugfest is underway over who the money belongs to. Both BJP and Congress have accused each other of illegally transporting the money to bribe voters and compromise the electoral process.

Also Read: ₹15.78 crore cash, alcohol worth ₹23.37 crore seized in Karnataka

(Edited by Kamna Revanoor)