Simha has hidden details of possessing gun: Lakshman

Mysore BJP unit dismisses allegations as election gimmick

BJP candidate from Mysore-Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency, Prathap Simha has withheld information about possessing a gun, worth Rs 10 lakh, in the affidavit submitted by him to the Election Commission, alleged M Lakshman, secretary of Mysore-Kodagu Vokkaligara Hitharakshana Vedike, here on Tuesday. 

He also alleged that Simha was seeking votes in the constituency, based on his caste, which was against the guidelines of People’s Representation Act. Moreover, the candidate had misled the Mysore Urban Development Authority to secure a ‘G’ category site, and had under-estimated the value of the site in the affidavit, he said.

“While the current market value of the site at Vijayanagar 4th stage in the city is around 70-80 lakh, he has listed the property to be worth Rs three lakh in the affidavit,” he said.

Addressing a press meet, he said that the guidelines required a candidate to disclose all his possessions while submitting the affidavit. Apart from this, a person who possesses a weapon is required to hand over the same to the police, during elections. 

However, he has neither disclosed the details in the affidavit, nor handed over the gun, he added.

Reacting to the allegations, Yeshaswi Somashekar, General Secretary of Mysore BJP unit dismissed the allegations as an ‘election gimmick’. “As soon as we came to know that we haven’t included the gun in the affidavit, we submitted another affidavit, which included details of the weapon. If any mistakes are found in the affidavit, the officials can take the necessary legal action,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner C Shikha, confirmed that Simha had submitted two new affidavits, with details of the gun. Regarding the allegations of under-estimation of the value of a site in the affidavit, she said that it was not the job of District Election Office to verify the correctness of the affidavit. “However, the issue can be challenged in appropriate forums,” she added.

Contrary to the allegations, one of the four affidavits submitted by Simha, reveals that he possesses a second hand 0.32 calibre pistol, worth Rs 41,220.