Daijiworld Media Network-Chamarajanagar (RJP)

Chamarajanagar, Apr 1: An FIR has been filed against food and civil supplies and district in-charge minister U T Khader for allegedly distributing money and trying to lure voters in Gundlupet Assembly constituency where bypoll will be held soon.

L Suresh, a resident of Gundlupet town, had lodged a complaint with the election officer against Khader alleging that they were seen giving money to a person during a campaign in Gundlupet on March 27.

Election officer Nalin Atul said “It is illegal to distribute money to any individual when the poll code of conduct is in force. An FIR has been filed against the minister and permission has been sought from the court to conduct a probe,”

Atul also said that illegally stored liquor had been confiscated from various parts of the district and cases have been registered.

Khader rubbishes allegations

Meanwhile, U T Khader rubbished the allegations that his car driver was involved in distributing money for vote during Gundlupet campaign.

Khader was speaking to reporters in Mangaluru.

Khader termed the allegations as politically motivated. He clarified that the driver in question was a Congress worker, as the ministers are not allowed to travel in their official vehicles during election. “He was paying money for bottled water and that was misconstrued as influencing voters with inducements,” he explained.