Bengaluru, Sep 1: Karnataka High Court on Friday posted the hearing on the plea, challenging Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah’s election from Varuna Assembly constituency in 2023, alleging electoral malpractices, to September 13.
The petition seeks Siddaramaiah’s election be rendered null and void and debar him from contesting elections for six years for violating the provisions of the Act and the Constitution.
It is learnt that the freebies are contrary to the directive principles of the State policy.
Earlier, Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav issued notice to Siddaramiah on KM Shankara’s plea, alleging that the Congress promised “freebies” ahead of the election, and sought votes on such promises amounts to a corrupt practice.
The plea read, “The five guarantees are the corrupt practices amounting to bribery and also undue influence under section 123(2) of the Representation of People Act. The said guarantees are in the nature of offer and promises made by the candidate and by the Indian National Congress party.
“They are in the form of gratification to the electorate of Varuna constituency and with the object of directly inducing the electorate to vote for the congress party candidate, Siddaramaiah.”
