Karnataka Polls 2023: Congress Files Police Complaint Against Amit Shah Over 'Provocative' Remarks During Rally

THE CONGRESS unit in Karnataka on Thursday filed a police complaint against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP leaders and organisers of public rallies for allegedly making "provocative statements, promoting enmity and hatred and maligning opposition". This came after the home minister allegedly said that Karnataka will be afflicted with riots if the grand old party comes to power.

Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar, state In-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala and AICC Spokesperson Gaurav Vallabh went to the police station and lodged the complaint. The Congress leaders demanded that an FIR should be filed against Shah for threatening voters of the state ahead of the Assembly election. The party has also sought an FIR under the IPC and the Representation of People Act 1951.

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"Union Home Minister has said that if Congress comes to power then there will be communal riots. How can he say this? We have filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India on this," Shivakumar told to media persons after filing the police complaint.

Following his alleged remark during the public meeting in Karnataka, Shah received a backlash from party leaders. On Wednesday, Congress general secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh slammed the home minister and termed his remark as a "brazenly intimidatory statement". He accused Amit Shah of "issuing threats" during the election campaign.

"This is a brazenly intimidatory statement. The Union Home Minister having allegiance to an organisation banned by India's very first Home Minister is now issuing threats during an election campaign when staring at certain defeat," Ramesh tweeted.

With days left from the upcoming Karnataka Assembly election, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have been trying to woo voters and also trying to corner each other. 

The poling on 224 member Legislative Assembly in Karnataka is scheduled to take place on May 10 and the results will be declared on May 13. A total of 2,613 candidates are in the poll fray for the state election. Out of 2,613 candidates in the poll fray, 2,427 are male, 184 females and 2 others, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka said.