DK Shivakumar files petition in Karnataka HC challenging FIR against him
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka DK Shivakumar has approached the Karnataka High Court challenging the FIR filed against him at the RMC Yard Police Station in the city based on a complaint by a BJP member that he has been luring and threatening people to vote in favour of the Congress in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The BJP had complained to the police that Shivakumar, while campaigning at an apartment at Rajarajeshwari Nagar on behalf of DK Suresh, the Congress candidate from Bangalore Rural constituency, had not only threatened the voters but had also blackmailed them in order to gain their votes for the Congress. A video clip, allegedly of Shivakumar, who is the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), speaking harshly to the voters, had also been shared on social media platforms.
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The BJP had also complained to the Election Commission regarding the matter. In addition, a case had been filed earlier against Shivakumar on charges of graft and use of influence during elections.
RMC Yard Police booked an FIR against the Deputy CM on Saturday based on the complaint and the officers are investigating the case.
The KPCC President has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking a quashing of the case against him.
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Make polling hours 6am-7pm for May 7 LS polls, Karnataka BJP urges EC citing heatwave
Bengaluru, May 3: Citing the ongoing heatwave in the state, Karnataka BJP on Friday petitioned the Election Commission with a request to modify the polling hours to the 6am-7pm period in the 14 parliamentary constituencies in the state that goes to polls on May 7.
Polling is currently scheduled to be held in the second phase in the state in 14 segments in the northern districts between 7am to 6pm on May 7.
"It has become hard to come out and vote between hours 10.00 to 17.00 due to uncontrollable heat. The average heat in those parts (north Karnataka) covering 14 parliamentary constituencies are between 37 and 42 degree (Celsius). The mercury is rising at an alarming level and it would become hard for the electors to come out and vote," BJP's petition said.
The petition highlighted the alarming rise in temperatures, which are expected to go beyond 40 degree Celsius, and also stated that the number of voters over the age of 40 is high and that they are vulnerable to the heatwave.
"To keep up the good spirit of voting, necessary action should be taken," the BJP petition urged the Election Commission, saying, "In this background, it is requested to modify the time of voting in the 14 parliamentary constituencies from 06.00 to 19.00 hours on May 7".
Polling was held between 7 am and 6 pm during Karnataka's first phase of the Lok Sabha polls in 14 constituencies on April 26.
