In a written complaint to the CEC, the Election Agent Manjunath B G has alleged that the local police and the jurisdictional Returning Officer had a nexus with Haris.

“That is why they have neither taken any action nor seized the materials. Our complaint is also not registered,” the letter said.

“Haris has also violated the provisions of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951 and other guidelines issued by the Election Commission by taking out processions and campaigning in large groups near Maya Bazaar in Austin Town,” Manjunath has said in the letter.

Alleging that the local police and the returning officer had failed to act upon the complaint, the BJP candidate Mallikarjuna met the City Police Commissioner and demanded that a strict vigil be kept in the area with
immediate effect till polling is completed.

“The 40,000 muslim voter population in the constituency is a deciding factor in the polls and Haris is trying to seek support under the pretext of religion. We are afraid there could be law and order problems on the polling day. We demand that more security personnel should be deployed to conduct lawful election here,” Mallikarjuna said.

Far from truth?

Dismissing the allegations as “baseless” and “far from truth”, Haris said he is filing a counter-complaint with the CEC against the BJP.

 “I have not violated any guidelines or the model code of conduct. These all false allegations,” Haris has said in a letter to the CEC.

“In fact, workers from the BJP were caught red-handed while they were distributing sarees to voters near L R Nagar on Friday morning. We have also lodged a complaint in this regard with the Audugodi Police Station,” Maharus Khan, spokesperson for Haris said.

He said  a copy of the police complaint was also being enclosed with the letter to Chief Election Commissioner.