Karnataka BJP lodges complaint with Guv against CM Siddaramaiah, DCM DK Shivakumar over alleged poll-time cash distribution

BJP leader Devarajegowda lodged a complaint with the Karnataka Governor seeking prosecution sanction against CM Siddaramaiah and DCM DK Shivakumar over a viral audio clip alleging cash distribution during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Bengaluru: A political debate erupted after BJP leader and advocate Devarajegowda submitted a formal complaint to Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, seeking sanction to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in connection with a viral audio clip allegedly involving former MLA K.M. Shivalingegowda. The clip purportedly reveals discussions about distributing cash to voters during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

According to the complaint, the viral audio, claimed to feature Shivalingegowda’s voice, suggests that during the last general elections, a meeting was held in the presence of Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, and Rajya Sabha member N. Chandrashekar. The alleged conversation indicates that the leaders decided to distribute ₹500 to each voter in the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency in favour of Congress candidate Shreyas M. Patel.

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The complaint further alleges that, following these directions, Shreyas Patel contributed ₹5 crore, Gopalaswamy ₹1 crore, and senior Congress leader B. Shivarame ₹1 crore, totalling ₹7 crore for voter inducement in the Belur assembly segment. The audio purportedly also includes instructions to the Belur Block Congress president to ensure that at least 70% of voters receive the money on the same night, or at the very least 68%.

Additionally, the complaint cites another part of the conversation in which Shivalingegowda allegedly mentions spending ₹1.5 crore on a campaign programme in Belur. The complainant asserts that the voice in the audio has been clearly identified as Shivalingegowda’s and claims it substantiates the involvement of top Congress leaders in electoral malpractice.

Devarajegowda has urged the Governor to grant prosecution sanction under Sections 123 and 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and other relevant laws, to enable criminal proceedings in a competent court or investigative agency.

The allegations, if pursued, could have significant political ramifications for the Congress leadership in Karnataka, especially given the direct naming of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister in a matter involving alleged cash-for-votes during a parliamentary election.