ECI directs Karnataka CEO act against Shobha Karandlaje for controversial remarks

BENGALURU: The Election Commission of India (ECI) directed Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer to take action against Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje for her controversial speech. Karandalaje is a BJP candidate from Bengaluru North.

According to the code of conduct, the report is to be submitted within 48 hours after taking action. The action of the commission is based on the complaint filed by DMK. Mahila Congress state secretary Deepa Anil has filed a complaint with the Kerala DGP demanding action against the Union minister.

Karandlaje made controversial claims against Tamil Nadu and Kerala while speaking to media. “People from Tamil Nadu come here, get trained there and plant bombs here. They placed a bomb in a cafe.," she said while referring to the IED blast that took place in the Whitefield area on March 1.

“Another man comes from Delhi and raises pro-Pak slogans in the Vidhan Soudha. Another man comes from Kerala and throws acid at college students. Boys come and beat up a boy in a shop where he was listening to Hanuman Chalisa. This government is protecting minorities and it is anti-Hindu… The law and order situation is poor and we demand Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara’s resignation. We will keep fighting,” she added.

Shobha took to social media to apologize for her remarks against Tamil Nadu. “To my Tamil brothers & sisters, I wish to clarify that my words were meant to shine light, not cast shadows. Yet I see that my remarks brought pain to some – and for that, I apologize. My remarks were solely directed towards those trained in the Krishnagiri forest, linked to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. To anyone from Tamilnadu effected, From the depths of my heart, I ask your forgiveness. Furthermore, I retract my previous comments,” Karandlaje wrote on X. But she did not respond to her remark against Kerala.