Bangalore (PTI): The Congress has charged the BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa with trying to woo Dalit and Muslim voters by enticement and gratification, and demanded that the Election Commission file a case against him.

Congress spokesperson V S Ugrappa said Yeddyurappa made a promise in Gadag on May 18 that "when he is going to swear in as the Chief Minister, he will take oath along with one each Muslim and Dalit as Ministers".

This is an open offer of enticement, he said. "It is clear that, it is a calculated statement by B S Yeddyurappa to woo the voters of Dalits and Muslims by inducing them gratification, which is a corrupt practice and it is an electoral offence as per the Act of 1951".

Ugrappa said "not even a single Muslim candidate has been given ticket by BJP to contest the Assembly elections, let alone its claim that a berth will be given to a Muslim, which is a clear false promise and an attempt to offer a bribe and gratify".

The Congress requested the EC to direct authorities concerned to take cognizance of the "provoking statement and action" and register a case against Yeddyurappa.