BJP MP Tejasvi Surya Faces Charges for Seeking Votes Based on Religious Grounds in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer made a statement on the microblogging website X, stating that Mr. Surya had posted a video on social media “soliciting votes on the ground of religion”. Consequently, a case has been filed with the Jayanagar police station in Bengaluru. After voting, Mr. Surya expressed to reporters that he believed the Congress party may not win more than 30 seats in the Lok Sabha polls.

He also stressed that the Congress party has become frustrated, citing surveys that indicate its potential limited success. In response to the personal attacks and allegations against the Prime Minister, Mr. Surya commented that history has shown an increase in support for the Prime Minister and the BJP. The Congress party has put forward Sowmya Reddy in the Bengaluru South constituency.

Mr. Surya noted an increased voter turnout among senior citizens and urged the younger population to participate in large numbers, emphasizing the significance of voting in a democracy. The second phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka involved 14 seats, and the overall phase encompassed 88 Lok Sabha constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories. According to the Election Commission, over 15.88 crore people cast their votes in the second phase.