The Election Commission of India has written to the Congress government in Karnataka seeking a response regarding violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) arising from the release of funds for guarantee schemes ahead of the bypolls scheduled for April 9, 2026.
In a letter dated April 2, 2026, ECI Secretary Pawan Deewan sought a detailed response from Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh regarding the release of funds in the districts of Davanagere and Bagalkot, which fall within the poll-bound assembly constituencies. The Election Commission also sought the names of officers who allowed the disbursement.
The letter stated that the commission received information regarding “fresh sanction of financial benefits to beneficiaries of the schemes (Gruha Lakshmi, Yuva Nidhi, Shakti Scheme, Gruha Jyothi, Anna Bhagya) in the districts of the 2 Bye-election going Assembly Constituencies.” It added that the MCC provisions were in force in the poll-bound districts and therefore no fresh release of funds could be made for the welfare schemes without the EC’s approval.
On April 7, 2026 (Tuesday), the state Congress released the ECI letter to the media alleging that it was a conspiracy to stop the guarantee schemes of the state government. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said that he discussed the release of funds with state officials who told him the benefits under the schemes were released for the period of March and that this month’s (April’s) instalments will be released after the elections.
“I have discussed with the officials and ensured that the money of the previous month has been released, and this month’s instalment will be released after the elections. He asked voters not to worry about these schemes, and they won’t be stopped. We are committed to our promise. Those who are creating fear among you will not win this election, their government will not come in the coming days,” Shivakumar said. He termed the ECI’s letter a BJP conspiracy.
He accused the BJP of attacking the poor and the youth by attempting to stop the guarantee schemes. “…they have attacked poor people and unemployed youths. So voters must give a befitting reply to the BJP in the bypolls to be held on April 9,” he said. “With this, the true face of the BJP has become public. They must know that this is not a new scheme which was announced now. So, there is no point in objecting to the release of money. I strongly condemn the stand of the BJP in this regard,” the Deputy CM added.
