The Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka on Monday filed a complaint against Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani and actor Prakash Raj for allegedly defaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party’s chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa, ANI reported.
“Jignesh Mevani in his speech at an event on April 29 in Bengaluru called our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi a corporate salesman and a thief who has looted the country,” the party alleged in a letter to the chief electoral officer. The party also accused Raj of attempting to tarnish the images of Modi and Yeddyurappa.
The BJP urged the election panel to not grant permission to the two to address meetings in the state till May 12 when the Assembly elections will be over, DNA reported.
Meanwhile, actor Raj told The Wire in an interview that the BJP would not come to power in the state, and accused the party of running divisive and polarising campaign. “We have to remind people that this is the same BJP which was in the government five years ago and changed three chief ministers,” the actor said. “The same government was charged with many corruption charges. Siddharamaiah has delivered to an extent. It is not that he has not done anything. Let the people decide what they want.”
The Assembly elections are crucial as the results are expected to set the tone for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!