Lok Sabha elections 2024: EC books BJP’s Tejasvi Surya for 'soliciting' votes in name of religion

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tejasvi Surya, a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Bengaluru South, was booked bythe election commission on Friday (Apr 26) for seeking votes on the ground of religion. Surya had earlier posted a video on X, in which he “solicited votes on the ground of religion," theChief Electoral Officer,Karnatakasaid in an X post. Bengaluru South is a crucial seat forBJPwhere Suryais pittedagainst Congress's Sowmya Reddy.

At around 2 pm, Surya made the post in which he mentioned Ram Mandirapartfrom border security, Article370to encourage his supporters to come out and vote in large numbers.

Surya earlier also gave an 80-20 per cent analogy, highlighting the lethargy of BJP voters to come out and cast their ballot.

“We the BJP voters are 80 per cent but only 20 per cent come out and vote. Congress’ voters are 20 per cent but they come out and vote 80 per cent. This is the ground reality at the polling booths in most cases. Every single vote of yours matters. Please come out and vote because if you are not voting, Congress’ 20 per cent is definitely voting,” Tejasvi said.

Earlier, the BJP leader issued a scathing attack on Congress, the main opposition party, and declared it may not win more than 30 seats in theLok Sabha elections.

"Congress party has become absolutely frustrated. Survey after survey shows that it may not win more than 30 seats... The more personal attacks and baseless allegations they make against the PM, history has shown that the Prime Minister has only gotten stronger and the BJP has only gotten more popular," he said.

Watch:Lok Sabha Elections 2024: 88 seats up for grabs in phase 2

Speaking to news agency ANI, Surya added,“Today is a celebration day in Karnataka. it is a festival of democracy. Millions of people will go out and vote... This is not just a right, but also a duty, because if we don't vote, we are not registering our voice, and contributing meaningfully to a democracy... Just like every year, more senior citizens are seen at the booths, they are coming out in big numbers to vote. I wish young people draw inspiration from senior citizens and also come out in big numbers and vote."

(With inputs from agencies)