The Election Commission of India (ECI) has instructed Karnataka's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to promptly address a complaint filed by JD(S) leader and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. In his complaint, Gowda asserted that Congress MP DK Suresh was allegedly organizing the distribution of freebies, and the state's electoral machinery failed to respond effectively.
In a letter to the state CEO, the ECI emphasized the necessity for immediate action per the model code of conduct and relevant laws. They requested a prompt compliance report following the execution of appropriate measures.
The communication was dispatched on March 21 based on the complaint lodged by the former Prime Minister with the electoral authorities.
Gowda accused the state election machinery of neglecting its duties in preventing "corrupt activities" within the Bengaluru (Rural) Lok Sabha constituency. He claimed that despite the presence of freebies in a godown, the field machinery did not intervene effectively.
Furthermore, Gowda alleged that the reluctance of officers to take action against the incumbent MP, who is the brother of DK Shivkumar, the deputy chief minister, indicates not only negligence but also a fear of repercussions.
