Statement on behalf of Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, MP & Sh. Jaiveer Shergill, National Medial Panelist, released from AICC headquarters, 24 Akbar Road, New Delhi

Indian National Congress files a Complaint in Election Commission against BJP (Sh. Amit Shah & Sh B.S. Yeddyurappa) for influencing voters in violating Model Code of Conduct

Foreseeing the inevitable defeat, BJP in political desperation now openly influencing voters by distributing cheques

BJP is using notes to influence votes in Karnataka

BJP should realise that people of Karnataka are not for sale and their standard tactic of using money power to crush peoples power will not work

Sh Amit Shah remembers the dead after 1.5 years during elections for the sake of influencing votes of the family members of the deceased

It is often said that, desperate times call for desperate measures. Foreseeing the inevitable defeat in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections, BJP in political desperation is now openly influencing voters by offering money and distributing cheques in violation of the Model Code of Conduct and Election Laws i.e., offence of bribery under Section 171B of the Indian Penal Code.

Sh. Amit Shah, National President BJP and Sh. B.S. Yeddyurappa, State President, BJP who has been N C L “ A “ violated the Model Code of Conduct and committed the offence of influencing the voters punishable with one year of imprisonment in jail by giving cheque of Rs 5,00,000/- on 30th March, 2018 to the family of deceased Shri Raju who died 1.5 years back with the sole intent of influencing the votes of the family members of the deceased.

Indian National Congress led by a delegation comprising of Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, MP, Sh Jaiveer Shergill, National Media Panelist, Sh. Varun Chopra, advocate and Shri Vipul Maheshwari, Secretary, Legal Deptt. AICC filed a complaint with the Election Commission of against Sh. Amit Shah, National President BJP and Sh. B.S. Yeddyurappa, State President, BJP seeking initiation of criminal action for violating Para I (4) of the Model Code of Conduct and provisions of the IPC for the sake of ensuring free and fair elections (Copy of the complaint filed with the Election Commission is attached herewith as Annexure 1).

Devoid of any positive agenda and vision, BJP level that now “ A “ influence the voters. Sh. Amit Shah must explain how come he has remembered the deceased Sh Raju and his family members after 1.5 years of his death and never visited his house despite making several trips to Karnataka in the past 1.5 years.

Staring at a massive defeat, BJP once again is resorting to usage of money power to buy people(s) power and crush their right to vote freely without any interference or influence whatsoever. BJP needs to realise that votes of people of Karnataka are not for sale and distributing cheques will not get them votes. BJP has a notorious track record of subverting democracy by using unfair means to satisfy their appetite for power at any cost. BJP is using notes to influence votes in Karnataka

For the sake of preserving democracy, ensuring free and fair elections and protecting voters of Karnataka from the illegal interference and corrupt practices of the BJP and their leaders, Election Commission must intervene and initiate action against Sh. Amit Shah and Sh. B.S. Yeddyurappa for violating Model Code of Conduct.

MEMORANDUM

Date : 02/04/2018

TO,

CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER NIRVACHAN SADAN, ASHOKA ROAD, NEW DELHI -110001

SUB - COMPLAINT AGAINST SHRI. AMIT SHAH, SHRI. B.S. YEDDYURAPPA, SHRI. , SHRI. PRATAP SIMHA FOR VIOLATION OF PARA 1(4) OF THE MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT READ WITH SECTION 171B OF THE INDIAN PANEL CODE IN LIGHT OF THE FORTHCOMING ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN KARNATAKA

Sir,

With regard to the subject matter we bring to your kind notice the blatant violation of Model Code of C MCC B J P BJP and its office bearers in the ensuing Karnataka Assembly Elections. Your good offices are aware that dates of Karnataka Asssembly Elections have been announced and the polling for the same is scheduled to take place on 12.05.2018 and in pursuance of the same Model Code of Conduct has been in force.

Your kind attention is drawn to a specific incident of blatant violation of MCC which took place on 30.03.2018 whereby Sh. Amit Shah, Sh. B.S.Yeddyurappa, Sh. Ananth Kumar, Union Minister and Sh. Pratap Simha, MP visited the residence of one Sh. Raju, who was killed around a year and a half ago for meeting with the family of the deceased.

At the time of the aforesaid visit on 30.03.2018, it so appears from the statement of the family members of the deceased and news paper reports that Sh. Amit Shah and the aforementioned leaders allegedly promised of handing over a cheque of Rs.5, 00, 000/- classification/definition of giving gratification to a voter for the purposes of exercising his/her electoral right and hence, in gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct Para I (4) read with Section 171B of the Indian Penal Code (extracted herein above). The intent and motive of influencing the voters is clear from the fact that Sh. Amit Shah has visited the State and particularly Mysuru many times before but had never made an effort to visit the said family nor offered any gratification. However, this time keeping in mind the upcoming Assembly Elections he specifically paid a visit one and half year after the death of the deceased and allegedly promised to hand over a sum of Rs 5,00,000/-. Thus, it is safe to presume in the light of the ensuing elections, that the aforesaid gratification was with a sole intent to influence the voters.

Copy of the Video File of the family member of the deceased confirming gratification of Rs 5, 00, 000/- is attached hereto for ready reference and marked as Annexure A-1

W H E C traditions, to enquire into and take strict and prompt action in the said matter whilst bearing in mind the Model Code of Conduct against the BJP leaders/office bearers for violation of Model Code of Conduct.

The sanctity and purity of elections is the fundamental basis of a democracy. The Election Commission as the watch dog of free and fair elections is duty bound to take immediate cognizance and direct registration offences against all such persons who are directly and indirectly indulging in willful manipulation of government machinery, and abuse and misuse of power.

PRAYER

We hereby seek the foll H E C-

1. To take all such actions as may be necessary and required in law including direction for registration of offences against Shri. Amit Shah, Shri. B.S. Yeddyurappa, Shri. Ananth Kumar, Shri. Pratap Simha for the blatant violation of Model Code of Conduct, irrespective of being in high positions of power and authority; and

2. To take all such actions as are necessary in law for holding a free and fair Elections to the Legislative Assembly of Karnataka;

Yours Truly

Filed by Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, MP Shri Jaiveer Shergill, National Media Panelist INC, Shri Varun Chopra, Advocate Shri Vipul Maheshwari, Secretary, Legal Deptt. AICC