Bengaluru: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to appear before a local court in Bengaluru tomorrow regarding a defamation case filed by Karnataka’s BJP unit. The case revolves around an advertisement in local newspapers, ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections, which accused the BJP of corruption.
Previously, the court granted bail to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Congress president D K Shivakumar, who are also implicated in the case. Rahul Gandhi is the fourth accused in this case.
Karnataka’s BJP unit requested the court issue a non-bailable warrant against Rahul Gandhi for his absence on June 1. The Congress party argued that Rahul was not involved in publishing the advertisement. Although the court did not issue the warrant, it mandated his presence on June 7.
The defamation case was filed by BJP MLC and General Secretary Keshav Prasad. The contentious advertisement alleged that a 40 percent commission was required for all public works under the previous government and included a “corruption rate card” aimed at discrediting the BJP.
KPCC President DK Shivakumar told that Rahul Gandhi’s name was mentioned in the case only to gain publicity, he was nowhere connected to this. The advertisement issued then was based on the news report and same was told before the court as well, he said.
Rahul Gandhi after attending the court will meet newly elected MPs from the state and defeated candidates and he would address them at the Bharat Jodo Yatra auditorium in KPCC office.