On April 04, 2023, Tuesday, the Mandya Court charged the Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar for allegedly throwing currency notes of Rs 500 during the Praja Dhwani Yatra in Mandya. On March 28, when the yatra was near Bevinahalli in Srirangapatna, Shivkumar was seen throwing Rs 500 notes at the artists performing in the rally. 

After this incident took place, the EC (Election Commission) filed a complaint based on which a non-cognisable offence was filed against DK Shivakumar. After this, the Congress leader was booked at the direction of a local court by Mandya rural police. Earlier on March 29, DK Shivkumar had expressed his confidence in the Congress’s preparedness for the Assembly elections. 

“Congress is all ready for the elections, we want this government to be dismissed. As soon as this government is dismissed, it will be better for the state and the whole nation. This election will be development-oriented and for a state and country free of corruption,” Shivkumar told the media. Hitting out at the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), the state Congress chief alleged that the party is “compromising corruption” in Karnataka. 

DK Shivkumar also said, “This election will be a model because corruption is at its peak. PM Modi has motivated corruption and did not open his mouth against wrongs. He did not take action against his party leaders. Just for the sake of the party, he has been compromising a plethora of corrupt activities. The BJP never provided the youth with any employment, however, our party will ensure to do so.” 

Karnataka has 224 seats in the Assembly and currently out of those there are 119 MLAs of the ruling BJP while the Congress has 75 and its ally JD (s) has 28 seats with them. On March 29, 2023, the Election Commission put out the schedule for the Karnataka Assembly elections. The polling will be taking place in a single phase on May 10 and the counting of the same will be done on May 13.