BENGALURU, 20 APRIL 

An FIR has been registered against Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for violation of Model Code of Conduct for allegedly promising water supply in exchange for votes to residents of a housing society near here, Election Commission said on Saturday.

The matter came to light after BJP approached the poll body seeking action against Shivakumar after a video of him seeking votes from the residents of a housing society in Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha segment was shared widely on social media platforms.

Taking to social media platform 'X', the office of Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka said the FIR was lodged by Flying Squad Teams of Bengaluru against Shivakumar for violation of MCC while addressing apartment owners in RR Nagar. The FIR was registered at RMC Yard police station under appropriate sections of Indian Penal Code for bribery and undue influence at elections, it stated.

In the video clip, Shivakumar was purportedly heard saying he had come for a "business deal" and if the 2,510 houses in the housing society -- 6,424 votes -- went to his candidate, he assured them that their major issues concerning the supply of Cauvery river water and need for a civic amenity site would be resolved by him within three months.

Shivakumar's brother DK Suresh is seeking re-election from Bangalore Rural in the Lok Sabha elections. -PTI