The Karnataka Congress filed a police complaint against Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Minister V Somanna on Thursday for allegedly making "provocative statements, promoting enmity and hatred and maligning opposition".

"The Union home minister said if the Congress comes to power, then there will be communal rights. How can he say this? We have filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India on this," Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar was quoted by ANI as saying.

The Congress also alleged that V Somanna, in a purported audio, threatened a JD(S) candidate and lured him in Chamarajanagar constituency. Somanna is contesting from Varuna seat against former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He will also fight from Chamarajanagar constituency.

We have given an FIR against Union HM Shri Amit Shah to be lodged and action to be taken against him for spreading hatred among classes and religions, disrupting the harmony of the peaceful state of Karnataka, committing corrupt practices, knowingly making false statements and… pic.twitter.com/qeawwjlT7n

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 27, 2023

Congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala and Parmeshwar accompanied Shivakumar to Bengaluru's High Grounds police station where the complaint was filed. The police complaint also named organisers of the BJP rally.

What did Amit Shah say?

Addressing a public meeting at Terdal in Belagavi district on Tuesday, Amit Shah, said if the Congress comes to power in Karnataka, dynastic politics will be at an all-time high in the state and it will be "afflicted with riots".

He said the development of the state will be on the "reverse gear" if the Congress forms the government. Seeking the people's mandate for "political stability" in Karnataka that would vote on May 10, Shah said that only BJP can lead the state towards 'New Karnataka'.

"If Congress comes to power by mistake then corruption will be all time high and there will be 'appeasement',” said Shah, who is on a two-day tour of Karnataka to hold a series of public meetings, roadshows and review meetings with his party leaders.

Amit Shah was campaigning for the BJP in Belagavi in Tuesday as the voting day for the Karnataka assembly election nears. The polls will be held on May 10 and results in May 13.

(With inputs from PTI)

First Published:Apr 27, 2023 10:42 AM IST