Sowmya Reddy lodges complaint against BJP candidate

Bengaluru, May 9: Congress MLA Sowmya Reddy has lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer against C K Ramamurthy, BJP candidate from Jayanagar Assembly constituency, and his supporters for allegedly creating a law-and-order problem in Jayanagar Assembly constituency by intimidating voters.

A Congress delegation led by Ramalinga Reddy, Sowmya Reddy, former corporator N Nagaraj, KPCC spokesperson Ramesh Babu and former mayor Ramachandrappa, met the Chief Electoral Officer seeking action against those who are planning to prevent a section of voters from exercising their franchise on May 10.

“I was shocked to come across BJP candidate Ramamurthy and his supporters threatening minorities and slum-dwellers. The goondas threatened the voters of dire consequences if they vote for Congress,’’ said Sowmya Reddy.

She said some anti-social elements and rowdies supported by the BJP candidate have threatened voters at Marenahalli, Urs Colony, Tilak Nagar, Byrasandra, Ragigudda, Banashankari Quarters, Marenahalli Tank Bund, and JP Nagar. “The BJP candidate and his supporters do not want the voters from these areas to visit polling booths on May 10 as they considered them as Congress supporters,’’ she said.

Speaking with media persons, Ramalinga Reddy has said that he appealed to the Chief Electoral Officer to increase security for the voters at these areas to protect them from anti-social elements. “I sought paramilitary forces for the Jayanagar Assembly constituency to ensure voting free and fair. There were a few police constables at the spot when the goondas threatened the voters. Most of them wore helmets and masks and are roaming in cars,’’ alleged Ramalinga Reddy.

Nagaraj, former corporator of Byrasandra ward, has said many rowdy elements are roaming in and around Jayanagar to threaten voters. “The rowdies supported by the BJP candidate have created havoc in a few slums. They have threatened the voters who are Congress supporters for many years,’’ he said.

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