Karnataka Dy CM Shivakumar Faces FIR After BJP Complaint On Alleged 'Vote For Water' Remark In Bengaluru

The case against Shivakumar pertains to a video where he told Bengaluru voters that he would provide them water supply from river Cauvery if they voted for his brother DK Suresh.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Source : PTI

In a fresh trouble for Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, an FIR has been lodged against him for violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) while addressing apartment owners in RR Nagara. The case against the Congress leader pertains to a video where he told Bengaluru voters that he would provide them water supply from river Cauvery if they voted for his brother DK Suresh. DK Suresh is contesting from Bangalore Rural.

Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, in a post on social media platform X on Saturday said, "FIR is registered against HD Kumaraswamy of JDS by the FST of Gubbi, Tumkuru on the grounds of false statements in connection with elections. FIR No.149/2024 is registered at Gubbi PS u/s 123(4) of RP Act and 171(G) of IPC."

FIR is registered against HD Kumaraswamy of JDS by the FST of Gubbi, Tumkuru on the grounds of false statements in connection with elections. FIR No.149/2024 is registered at Gubbi PS u/s 123(4) of RP Act and 171(G) of IPC.

— Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka (@ceo_karnataka) April 20, 2024

On Thursday, the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filed a complaint with the Election Commission, accusing Shivakumar of violating the MCC after videos purportedly showing the Congress leader promising water supply in exchange for votes for the Congress in exchange for support to his brother DK Suresh, went viral.

In the complaint filed by BJP MLA Ashwath Narayan, it was stated that the two videos have surfaced on social media showing Shivakumar offering Cauvery water supply and occupancy certificates (OC) to residents of apartments in Bengaluru South and RR Nagar, as per a report in Hindustan Times.

In a purported video clip that went viral on social media, DK Shivakumar was heard saying to the residents of a housing society in his brother's constituency that he had come for a "business deal" and if they voted for his brother, he would ensure the supply of Cauvery River water to them. "I have come here for business deal..there are 2,500 houses with 6,000 votes... you need CA site & Cauvery Water.. if I get this done, what will you give to me?," the Congress leader was heard saying in the video.

"I have come here for business deal..there are 2,500 houses with 6,000 votes... you need CA site & Cauvery Water.. if I get this done, what will you give to me?"

DK Shivakumar's blatant abuse of power to seek votes for his brother. Water, land are state subjects and as a… pic.twitter.com/R69CH3VKf5

— Karthik Reddy (@bykarthikreddy) April 17, 2024