Hubballi: A Congress delegation led by Member of Parliament, V S Ugrappa on Thursday filed a complaint before the Dharwad election officer against BJP leader, B Sriramulu for claiming that harassment by the coalition government in the state had led to the death of former minister, C S Shivalli.
The Congress leaders argued in the complaint to election officer, Deepa Cholan that Mr Sriramulu's statement amounted to an offence under section 125 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 and sections 171, 505 and 499 of the IPC.
Speaking to reporters after filing the complaint, Mr Ugrappa said they had submitted a pen drive containing Mr Sriramulu's speech accusing the coalition government of being responsible for the death of the minister. "The Election Commission should file a case against Sriramulu as he has used the death of Mr Shivalli for votebank politics," he charged. Meanwhile, minister D K Shivakumar , who was campaigning in Ingalagi village of Kundagol taluk, said the party had filed a complaint against Mr Sriramulu to make sure the truth came out. "We will not tolerate it if the BJP leader makes charges of murder against the state government. The Congress will take action under the law," he added.
Turning emotional , he said Mr Shivalli was a close friend who had never harmed anyone. "I have not come here to campaign for Shivalli's wife, Kusuma, but to salute you. It's not Shivalli's election, but your election. You should work round -the -clock to ensure victory of his wife so that his soul rests in peace," he told the people. But coming to the defence of Mr Sriramulu, BJP leaders, Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai claimed the late minister had been traumatised due to the interference of Congress leaders in the affairs of his department.
