On the eve of the first phase of elections in Karnataka on Saturday, the Congress has alleged that BJP workers in connivance with a Bangalore-based firm were manufacturing bogus Electronic Photo Identity Cards (EPIC).

The Bangalore-based firm was given the contract by the Election Commission to manufacture the EPICs.

The Congress also alleged that BJP workers were buying EPIC issued by the Commission to the minority voters in Bangalore city.

“We fear that these cards will be used by the BJP during voting,” the AICC said in a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner on Friday.

The memorandum was submitted by a high-level delegation, including Ahmad Patel, political secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, and AICC treasurer Motilal Vora among others.

The Congress claimed that BJP workers had issued bogus identity cards to voters during the Gujarat Assembly elections last year as well. “Cases were also registered against them but after the formation of BJP Government in the state, all these were hushed up,” it said.

The delegation requested the CEC to look into the matter to ensure a free and fair election.