Congress accuses RR Nagar BJP candidate Munirathna of bribing voters
Bengaluru: The Congress on Monday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the BJP's Rajarajeshwari Nagar candidate Munirathna alleging that he was bribing voters by distributing free set-top boxes of his cable network and beaming his photo on television sets.
Reacting to the complaint, Munirathna said he was into the cable business and it is his profession.
Terming Munirathna's statement as a confession, state Congress chief D K Shivakumar said "If at all the Election Commission is alive and is keen on giving legal protection, then it should initiate action."
In his complaint, the Congress working president Saleem Ahmed said Munirathna has been violating the model code of conduct by using his cable network.
Claiming that Munirathna has distributed more than 50,000 set-top boxes to the voters of the constituency, Ahmed said "Muniratna has already spent more than Rs five crore for this purpose..."
"He has been bribing the voters by promising them free cable TV services and is continuing to cast influence over them as his name and photo are displayed in the television and set-top boxes as evidenced in the video recording annexed herewith," the Congress leader stated in his complaint.
Speaking to reporters at RR Nagar, Munirathna said, "..(cable network) is my profession. He (D K Shivakumar) too has a cable network. He too is a businessman. Both of us are into the cable business."
The BJP candidate added that the complaint lodged by Congress applied to Shivakumar as well because the law applies to both equally.
The Congress, BJP, and the JD(S) are the major parties contesting the November 3 RR Nagar assembly by-election.
The Congress has fielded H Kusuma against Munirathna, whereas JD(S) has fielded V Krishnamurthy in RR Nagar
The seat fell vacant following the disqualification of Congress MLA Munirathna, who is now with the BJP, under the anti-defection law last year.
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Bantwal: Ex-soldier dies after casting vote at home
Bantwal, Apr 24: Madhava Prabhu, an 85-year-old resident of Wagga in Bantwal, exemplified unwavering commitment to his civic duty even in the face of illness.
Admitted to a private hospital here owing to his ailment, Prabhu, a former army officer and inspector of Malaria Eradication department, died without responding to treatment on Wednesday.
Amidst his illness, Prabhu was determined to exercise his right to vote, especially with the provision for home voting for those aged 85 and above.
With the doctor's permission, he left the hospital briefly to fulfil his sacred duty on Tuesday. However, fate had a cruel twist in store as Prabhu's condition worsened upon his return to the hospital.
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Tragically, he passed away today, leaving behind his wife, two daughters, and sons.
Prabhu's life epitomizes dedication and service, from his tenure in the army to his role in the Malaria Eradication Department and his involvement in community affairs as vice president of the Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society.
His commitment to duty and his final act of voting serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of civic engagement, even in the most challenging circumstances.
