“Scandal Unfolds: Karnataka Deputy CM Faces Bribery Charges in Violation of Election Code”

The Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka announced the initiation of legal proceedings against DK Shivakumar, Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader, for breaching the Model Code of Conduct during his campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections. The Model Code of Conduct, mandated by the election commission, lays down guidelines for political parties, candidates, and the government to adhere to during the electoral process. The violation came to light after the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party raised objections to a video where Shivakumar allegedly promised the residents of Bengaluru’s RR Nagar access to water from the Cauvery river in exchange for voting for his brother, DK Suresh, a candidate in the elections. This promise, made amidst Bengaluru’s ongoing water crisis, led to a formal complaint citing potential bribery and undue influence in electoral matters against Shivakumar.

In the video, Shivakumar is heard negotiating with residents, proposing to address their concerns in exchange for their votes. He explicitly mentions resolving issues related to civic amenities and the provision of Cauvery water, implying a transactional approach to garnering support. The state election commissioner deemed this speech a clear violation of electoral conduct regulations, prompting the filing of a case against the Congress leader on charges of bribery and exerting undue influence on the electoral process.