Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress gave gift cards worth Rs 10K to woo Bangalore Rural voters, claims Kumaraswamy

Kumaraswamy claimed that the gift cards would allow voters to shop at Lulu Mall in Bengaluru where he said Shivakumar has stakes. The former CM also alleged that JD(S)workers were assaulted when they tried to stop the distribution of the gift cards.

Bengaluru: A rattled H D Kumaraswamy on Friday claimed that Congress distributed gift cards worth Rs 10,000 to voters in the Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha segment, a charge denied by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Cardiologist Dr CN Manjunath, who is JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda’s son-in-law, is contesting as the BJP’s candidate against Shivakumar’s brother DK Suresh in a high-voltage contest in Bangalore Rural.

“Last night, fearing defeat, the brothers distributed gift cards at Sorekayidoddi and Kanakapura town. Our party workers were also assaulted,” Kumaraswamy said, flashing copies of the alleged gift cards and accusing Shivakumar of being “shameless”.

According to Kumaraswamy, who is a voter in the Bangalore Rural segment, the gift cards would allow voters to shop at Lulu Mall where he said Shivakumar has stakes. “Each card has a serial number and QR code. Similar cards were distributed during the Assembly election last year,” he said.

Along with the gift cards, Kumaraswamy said laddus and Rs 505 in the name of Mahadeshwara were distributed across the constituency. “Those who tried to stop this were attacked,” he said.

“This is how the election is being done...it’s like we’re in the state of Bihar,” Kumaraswamy said.

“The Election Commission, which is spineless, has taken no action. They might as well shut shop. Or else, they should simply legalise cash-for-votes,” Kumaraswamy said.

DKS' coward jibe

Denying Kumaraswamy’s accusation, Shivakumar said JD(S) and BJP were luring voters with their own cards. "Shall I show you what JD(S) and BJP are distributing? Kumaraswamy, Munirathna and everyone else are distributing...what we’re giving is our guarantee cards,” he said.

“Kumaraswamy, like a coward, went to Mandya. He could have contested (in Bangalore Rural) instead of fielding an innocent person,” Shivakumar said.

Lashing out at the Income Tax officials, Shivakumar claimed his brother Suresh’s driver was harassed. “I-T officials asked one of our block party presidents to join the BJP. Our Suresh’s driver was harassed. They’re threatening everyone. I’ve sought time. I’ll have affidavits filed explaining the harassment,” he said.

Responding, Kumaraswamy said Shivakumar was a coward. “The culture of cowardice is his. We fight elections directly. Have I distributed these gift cards?” he said.