A video of an armed man climbing on top of a Congress campaign vehicle, in which Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was present, has gone viral on social media. Siddaramaiah was campaigning for Congress’ Bangalore South Lok Sabha candidate Sowmya Reddy at Bhairasandra. While it is mandatory for everyone to deposit their weapons in view of the elections, certain people are exempted under the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Police said the man, Riyaz Ahmed, was a businessman. Lokesh, Bangalore South Deputy Commissioner of Police, said that he was exempted from depositing the weapon as he had a threat to his life and was attacked in 2019. He added that the gun had a licence and he had kept it for self-defence.
Officials of Union and state government departments, public and private sector banks and their security agencies need not deposit the guns by default. Exemptions are also given to sportspersons affiliated to the National Rifle Association and Kodava community who are entitled to display weapons by long-standing law, customs and usage. In case an individual wants to be exempted from depositing the weapon, they can file applications before the DCPs in ‘exceptionally deserving cases.’
In the video, Riyaz Ahmed can be seen climbing on top of the vehicle and garlanding Sowmya Reddy, and her father and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy among other leaders. Bangalore South DCP added that as to how the man got so close to the Chief Minister was a matter under inquiry.
Accusing Congress of intimidating voters by carrying guns, the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sought action against Siddaramaiah for violating the MCC. “It has been proved that those who garland Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are hooligans, rowdies and street thugs,” they added.