An FIR has been registered against BJP president JP Nadda, the party’s IT cell head Amit Malviya and Karnataka unit chief BY Vijayendra in connection with a social media post allegedly intimidating members of SC and ST community not to vote for a particular candidate, police said on Monday.

On the other hand Congress alleged that professionals working for its social media department are being “harassed” and “intimidated” by police at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

The action on BJP leaders was taken following a complaint lodged by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) with the Election Commission and police on Sunday alleging violation of model code of conduct, they said. They were booked under the sections of Representation of People Act and section 505 (2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code, a senior police officer said.

In the complaint, the KPCC cited a video uploaded on the social media platform ‘X’ by the official account of Karnataka State BJP which, it alleged, is operated by Malviya, on instructions of Nadda, Vijayendra and Social Media incharge — Karnataka BJP, on May 4.

“The said video posted on social media featured animated characters of (Congress leader) Rahul Gandhi and (Chief Minister) Siddaramaiah. In the clip, the SC, ST and OBC community are portrayed as “eggs” in a nest and it also suggested Rahul Gandhi planting a big egg labelled as Muslim community. It is projected as though funds are being fed to the chick depicting the Muslim community, which then kicks out SC, ST and OBC communities,” it alleged.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate alleged that people of the Congress’ social media team are being “harassed”. The opposition party’s assertion came days after the Delhi Police’s Special Cell arrested a national coordinator of the Congress’ social media team for allegedly uploading and circulating online a doctored video of Shah.

“Professionals are being intimidated at the behest of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. These professionals are the people who chose the ideology of Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Bose and stood with the Congress.

The BJP is scaring those who chose truth and justice and rejected your false worship,” Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said.