Bengaluru: The Election Commission had issued a notice to KPCC President D. K. Shivakumar for publishing an advertisement in newspapers accusing the BJP Government of corruption. On the same line, BJP has issued a defamation notice to Congress leaders.
Shivakumar had been issued a notice by the Election Commission asking him to provide factual evidence regarding the allegations made against the BJP Government by 7.00 pm on May 7. Everyone has the right to criticise any government policy. But what’s in the press ad is no ordinary accusation. The administrative machinery of the Government is specifically blamed. It also affects elections. Congress party should have necessary proofs if advertisement is observed. Thus, the Election Commission had instructed the KPCC President to give appropriate evidence before 7.00 pm on Sunday.
Now, the BJP issued a criminal defamation legal notice to Congress Leaders Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah and D. K. Shivakumar for allegedly publishing derogatory advertisements about the BJP Government on behalf of the Congress party. A notice has been issued by BJP State General Secretary Keshav Prasad asking them to withdraw their advertisement and apologise by May 8 or else file a defamation case.
The allegations made by the Congress party against the BJP Government in the advertisement are baseless. Therefore, the State BJP has complained to the Election Commission to take action against this, BJP stated.
In the press advertisement, the BJP Government was referred to as the trouble engine Government, 40 percent Government, and the rate card advertisement was published by the Congress party by fixing different rates for recruitment, transfer and posts. BJP has demanded appropriate action against this in the complaint.
“It was not me who gave the rate card, it was the BJP,” said D. K. Shivakumar and hit back at the BJP leaders saying that Yatnal, Goolihatti Shekhar and H. Vishwanath gave the rate card. “The BJP itself has said how much is the rate for the post of CM. How much is the rate for ministerial position, how much is the rate from Swamijis of Mathas. This rate card was given by BJP.”
He said that we have given the rate card given by BJP itself.
Only three days left for the Karnataka Assembly elections, and in the meantime, the advertisement given by the Congress against the ruling party BJP has made BJP a target. Also, the Election Commission has taken the advertisement seriously in view of the violation of the Code of Conduct. It is an offense under Section 123 (4) of the Representation of the People Act, and Section 171G of the IPC. The Election Commission has issued a notice to KPCC President D. K. Shivakumar to provide evidence against the corruption allegations tomorrow as the specific corruption allegations in the Congress party advertisement may affect the election process as well