First politician to face EC action in this poll round, Union MoS Shobha Karandlaje known for stirring rows

Union minister and BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje, who has now been booked for alleged model code violation over her recent remarks over the Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru among other incidents, is no stranger to controversy — helping the 57-year-old carve out a niche for herself within the BJP’s Karnataka ranks, which has no shortage of firebrands.

Considered a confidante of BJP Parliamentary Board member and former Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa, Karandlaje is currently the MP from Udupi-Chikmagalur, but has been fielded by the party this time from Bengaluru North. The shift followed protests by a section of the BJP workers against Karandlaje, with a ‘Go Back Shobha’ campaign.

Speaking about the Bengaluru blast, Karandlaje had said: “The law and order situation in the state (Karnataka, ruled by the Congress) has deteriorated. People from Tamil Nadu come and plant bombs.”

She went on to refer to a series of incidents, including crimes: “People from Delhi come and raise ‘Pakistan zindabad’ slogans (referring to alleged slogans raised during oath-taking by a Congress Rajya Sabha MP). People from Kerala come and pour acid (on people). Now, a person accused in a rape case — who should be in jail — gangs up and assaults (someone) for playing the Hanuman Chalisa.”

On Tuesday, Karandlaje attended a protest over the assault on a shopkeeper for allegedly “playing Hanuman Chalisa during azaan” along with BJP MPs Tejasvi Surya and P C Mohan.

The FIR filed against her was the first action ordered by the EC against a key political figure in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The Madurai police has separately booked Karandlaje for “promoting enmity” between different groups, with her remarks drawing sharp criticism from Tamil Nadu