BJP leaders display Ramzan food packets distributed by Congress leaders at a press meet in Davangere on Sunday. They said they would complain to the Election Commission against the Congress for violating the model code of conduct. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
BJP leaders said in Davangere on Sunday that Congress leaders were distributing Ramzan kits to voters in violation of the Model Election Code of Conduct.
Former BJP district unit president Yashwantrao Jadhav said Congress leaders were distributing Ramzan kits to Muslim voters in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
He said he would file a complaint with the Election Commission.
At a press conference, Mr. Jadhav displayed a food parcel distributed by Congress leaders. These kits contained packets of rice, noodles, lentils, sugar and cooking oil.
The bags bore the names of Congress leaders late Shamanur Shivashankarappa, minister SS Mallikarjuna, MP Prabha Mallikarjuna and party poll candidate Samarth Shamanur.
They also had the Congress symbol on it.
He accused the Congress of trying to win the by-elections through unfair means and said such tricks were tried in the last elections as well.
“During the last elections, Congress leaders lured voters by distributing cookers and other things. But even after filing a complaint, the Election Commission did not take any action,” he said.
He also said that MP Prabha Mallikarjun, the candidate’s mother, took her car to the return gate of the election office during the filing of nomination papers.
“There is a rule that every candidate filing nomination papers must park their vehicle within 300 feet of the election office. But the MP broke that rule. Doesn’t that rule apply to her?” asked Mr. Jadhav.
“It’s time voters realize how Congress is deceiving people. Election Commission must conduct polls transparently and honestly without any bias. We will protest if a minister misuses government machinery or if Election Commission officials do not conduct polls in a fair manner,” he said.
BJP district president N. Rajasekhar, leaders Gayatri Siddeshwar, Anand Rao Shinde, Lokikere Nagaraj, BG Ajay Kumar, Rajanahalli Shivakumar and others were present.
Published – 22 March 2026 21:45 IST
