Karnataka’s ruling BJP has a set a record of sorts by topping the list of the violation of model code of conduct with 24 cases so far.

According to Chief Electoral Officer M N Vidyashankar, a total of 58 cases have been registered against political parties with regard to the violation of model code of conduct. The party-wise violations are: BJP 24, Congress 9,JD(S) 9,BSP  2 and others 14.

Vidyashankar said Bellary district recorded highest number of violations at 12 followed by Shimoga 4, Dharwad  3 and Bangalore Rural 2. The Election Commission has already transferred five government officials from the Bellary district to ensure free and fair poll.

As many as 501 cases have been registered with regard to seizure of liquor, cash, goods and defacement of public properties in several districts. Total value of goods, liquor and cash seized was Rs 1.73 crore, he said.
The police and excise officials seized liquor worth Rs 75 lakh and registered 486 cases. Goods worth Rs 57 lakh and Rs 5\41 lakh cash had been seized so far. 50 cases have been registered with regard to defacement of public properties in the Sate and a highest number of cases again have been registered in Bellary 29 followed by Shimoga 12 and Dakshina Kannada  6.

Twelve cases have been registered with regard to violence and highest being in Shimoga (7). Four cases have been registered with regard to bribery in Bellary (2), Hassan and Bangalore South (one each).  A bribery case has been registered against former corporator Basavaraj who was involved in the distribution of SIM cards to woo voters in Bangalore South constituency. The CEO said the office had received 370 complaints and investigation was on in all cases.

Vidyashankar said police seized liquor worth Rs 13 lakh and vehicles worth Rs 17 lakh in Shimoga district on Sunday. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa’s son B Y Raghavendra is contesting from Shimoga.

The Commission stayed the acquisition of lands for the Karnataka Housing Board Siddlaghatta taluk of Chikballapur district. The Government had issued a notification for acquiring 959 acres in the taluk, the CEO said.

Former Chief Minister and JD(S) candidate for Bangalore Rural constituency H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday alleged that Minister for Housing S N Krishnaiah Setty was involved in a major land scam in the garb of acquiring land for the KHB. The JD (S) has submitted a petition in this regard to the commission urging it to stop land acquisition.

Asked about acquisition of lands for Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project, the CEO said the JD(S) submitted a petition on the issue and the commission was seeking more information about it.