BJP moves EC, seeks Cong Bellary MP E Tukaram's disqualification over 'under-reporting' poll expense
New Delhi, Oct 22: The BJP on Tuesday approached the Election Commission with a demand to disqualify Congress Bellary MP E Tukaram, alleging illegal money was used to influence voters in his constituency during the Lok Sabha polls, and he did not show the actual expenditure incurred in the election.
In a separate memorandum to the poll panel, the Karnataka BJP delegation, led by its president Vijayendra Yediyurappa, also demanded action against the Congress government in the state, alleging it violated the Model Code of Conduct by giving "full page advertisements" to influence voters ahead of assembly bypolls on three seats.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Yediyurappa said the BJP delegation demanded the election commission that Tukaram be disqualified as "money siphoned off from the Karnataka Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Limited" was used to influence voters in his constituency during the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year.
ALSO READ: Bellary MP E Tukaram's wife Annapurna to fight from Sandur: CM Siddaramaiah
He claimed that Rs 187 crore was siphoned off from the KVSTDC Limited and used by the Congress during the Lok Sabha elections in the state and elsewhere.
"This has been exposed," he told reporters, referring to the findings of an Enforcement Directorate probe into the case.
"We have requested the election commission to initiate action. Since the elected Member of Parliament E Tukaram has violated all the norms and exceeded the limit of expenditure also, we requested the Election Commission to take serious note of it and disqualify him," he added.
Yediyurappa said the Congress government in Karnataka has violated the Model Code of Conduct by giving full page advertisements and making "false" claims ahead of the by-polls to be held in the state's three assembly constituencies.
"This is a clear violation of the Model Code of conduct. We have requested the Chief Election Commissioner to take necessary action against the state government," the Karnataka BJP chief told reporters.
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Chirag Paswan reportedly demands 36 seats, BJP offers 22 amid seat-sharing talks
Bihar elections 2025
Patna: As the countdown to the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections officially begins with the notification for the first phase issued on Friday, political maneuvering has intensified within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The spotlight is currently on Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader and Union Minister Chirag Paswan, who is demanding 36 seats, even as the BJP has so far offered only 22, The New Indian Express quoted its sources as saying.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar convened a meeting of senior JD(U) leaders at his official residence, 1 Anne Marg, to finalise the list of candidates. Meanwhile, LJP chief Paswan called an emergency meeting of his party’s core team at the state office to discuss seat distribution and election preparedness.
While Paswan is reportedly pressing for 36 seats, the BJP is hesitant to concede beyond 22. A final decision is expected only after the LJP's central parliamentary board convenes in the national capital.
The JD(U), on its part, is reportedly firm on retaining constituencies held by its sitting MLAs. Chirag Paswan’s party reportedly wants to contest seats like Manhar in Vaishali, Matihani in Begusarai, and Chakai in Jamui, which are presently represented by JD(U) legislators.
On the opposition front, Congress, a major ally of the opposition INDIA bloc, has moved ahead with candidate selection, clearing 25 names for seats largely seen as traditional party bastions. The list was finalised during a meeting of the party’s Central Election Committee held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Bihar will vote in two phases, on November 6 and 11, to elect a new Assembly, with counting on November 14.
