BJP's Tejasvi Surya booked for 'seeking votes on religious grounds'
What's the story
Bengaluru South sitting MP and the Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate from the same seat Tejasvi Surya was booked by the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka for posting a video on X in which he "solicited votes on the ground of religion."
A case was lodged against the BJP leader at Jayanagar Police Station, Bengaluru, reports said.
The CEO posted the update on X amid polling on the seat where Surya's contest is against the Congress's Sowmya Reddy.
Surya's post
Surya booked for posting video
According to reports, Surya has been booked in response to a video posted by him of "Surya Tilak" being performed at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir.
The post said, "Our generation was blessed to witness...Surya Tilak...A wait for almost 500 years and a wish of crores of Bharatiyas was fulfilled by...[PM Narendra Modi]...For Bharatiyata to survive, vote for BJP!"
The case was registered under Section 123(3A) of The Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Surya is yet to comment on the matter.
Twitter Post
Read Surya's post here
Our generation was blessed to witness the majestic Surya Tilak on Bhagwan Shri Ram at Ayodhya on Ram Navami.
— Tejasvi Surya (ಮೋದಿಯ ಪರಿವಾರ) (@Tejasvi_Surya) April 25, 2024
A wait for almost 500 years & a wish of crores of Bharatiyas was fulfilled by PM Shri @narendramodi Ji.
For Bharatiyata to survive, vote for BJP!#DakshinakkeSuryapic.twitter.com/4B0ti6pT1B
Statement
Surya hits out at Congress after voting
Surya cast his vote early in the day.
Talking to ANI at the poll booth, he mounted an attack on the Congress.
"Congress party has become absolutely frustrated. Survey after survey shows that it may not win more than 30 seats...The more personal attacks and baseless allegations they make against the PM...history has shown that the Prime Minister has only got stronger and the BJP has only got more popular," he added.
First time voters
Surya's message to first time voters
He also encouraged people to go out and vote in large numbers.
"Today is a celebration day in Karnataka. it is a festival of democracy...This is not just a right, but also a duty," he said.
"Just like every year, more senior citizens are seen at the booths... I wish young people draw inspiration from senior citizens and also come out in big numbers and vote," he told ANI.
Lok Sabha elections
Polling in 14 Karnataka seats today
As many as 14 seats in Karnataka went to polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday.
In total, 88 Lok Sabha constituencies across India saw polling today.
To recall, the first phase was held on April 19 and the subsequent phases will be held on May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.