The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bengaluru South took action by lodging a complaint against Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy and other party members for their alleged misconduct during the election period. The complaint, submitted to the Election Commission of India, accused the Congress leaders of inducing voters in the BTM Layout area to share their Aadhar details in exchange for a 'Guarantee Card,' with promises of receiving Rs 1 lakh bonds after the elections. The BJP claimed to have photographic evidence showcasing these activities, which they believe violate the Model Code of Conduct, the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and the Representation of People Act.
The BJP emphasized that the actions of the Congress leaders, including Sowmya Reddy and Former BBMP Mayor Manjunath Reddy, were clear violations of the election regulations that prohibit offering or promising any gratification in exchange for a vote. The complaint detailed that on April 17, Congress Leader Manjunath Reddy and others, under the instructions of Sowmya Reddy, were observed pressuring voters from economically weaker backgrounds in the BTM Layout Assembly Constituency to provide their Aadhaar details in return for the promised Guarantee Card and Rs 1 lakh bonds post-elections. The BJP called for the registration of an FIR against the Congress members, citing that the act of promising payment post-elections through 'Guarantee Cards' resembled bribery, which is unlawful in the election process.
Leading up to this, BJP candidate Tejasvi Surya had previously accused the Congress Party of attempting to bribe voters in Bengaluru South. This assertion came after unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 1.34 crore was seized by the Election Commission of India from vehicles linked to individuals believed to be close to Congress leaders, suggesting a potential cash-for-votes scheme orchestrated by the Congress. Tejasvi Surya highlighted this incident as part of a larger pattern of malpractice by the opposing party during the election season in Bengaluru South.