Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 20: In a notable move following the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission (EC) directed the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer to initiate appropriate action against Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje for her recent remarks allegedly breaching the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The directive comes in response to a complaint lodged by DMK organization secretary R S Bharathi, prompting the EC to request immediate action in accordance with the MCC guidelines.
Karandlaje came under scrutiny after making statements implicating individuals from Tamil Nadu in the Bengaluru cafe blast. Her remarks, made during a press interaction in Bengaluru, sparked controversy as she suggested Tamil Nadu residents were involved in the explosion on March 1st. The DMK complaint argued that Karandlaje's comments fueled animosity between communities and violated both MCC provisions and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Expressing regret for her remarks, Karandlaje issued an apology, particularly addressing the Tamil community. She clarified that her intention was to highlight specific incidents rather than cast aspersions on any particular group. Karandlaje retracted her earlier comments and sought forgiveness from those who may have been affected by her statements, emphasizing her commitment to fostering harmony and understanding among all communities.