The Karnataka police on Monday registered a FIR against Bharatiya Janata Party President J.P. Nadda, IT cell head Amit Malviya and State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra in connection with a campaign video of the party. The Congress had petitioned with police and Election Commission against the video on Sunday.
The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee petitioned with police and EC alleging violation of model code of conduct in the video which allegedly showed Congress favouring Muslims over backward classes in reservation and fund allocation.
The BJP leaders have been booked under the sections of Representation of People Act and section 505 (2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code, a senior police officer told PTI.
Congress in its complaint charged, “In the said video, SC, ST and OBC community are projected to be ‘Eggs’ in a basket and it is narrated that as though Rahul Gandhi is planting another egg i.e. Muslim community and is projected as though funds are fed into mouth of Muslim community and that the Muslim community kicks out SC, ST and OBC community.” It added, “BJP has been falsely accusing that Congress party will include Muslims to OBC category and with such false propaganda has been soliciting votes during Lok Sabha elections.” Congress said it is “unfathomable” as to how State level media monitoring committee approved this video to be uploaded by the BJP.
This election, the BJP has been accusing the Congress and Opposition parties of appeasing Muslims for votes. During a recent poll campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged the Congress would take away reservation quota meant for backward classes and give it to Muslims.
-with PTI inputs.