New Delhi: A new twist has emerged in the political drama unfolding in Karnataka after the MUDA scam got new mileage, with the Congress alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is attempting to destabilise the Siddaramaiah government through a bribery scheme.
Mandya MLA Ravikumar Gowda, a senior Congress leader, asserted that the BJP has offered a whopping Rs 100 crore to ruling party MLAs to switch sides, escalating what he calls “Operation Kamal 2.0.”
Gowda claimed that he was contacted by a BJP agent who offered him a huge sum in exchange for his loyalty. He declared that he rejected the offer and even considered reporting it to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This bold accusation comes as the Siddaramaiah government faces mounting pressure from the BJP on allegations of corruption against the CM in connection with the MUDA scam.
“Even today I’m saying, they (BJP) have now raised the offer to Rs 100 crore from Rs 50 crore, someone had called day-before-yesterday saying hundred (crore) ready, (wanted) to purchase 50 MLAs. BJP people have gone from Rs 50 crore to Rs 100 crore,” Gowda told news agency PTI.
“Someone had called me, I told him to keep Rs 100 crore with himself, I thought of complaining to ED,” he added.
The Congress leader further alleged that the BJP has intensified its efforts to destabilise the government, increasing the bribe offer from Rs 50 crore to Rs 100 crore. He accused BJP national general secretary BL Santhosh, Union ministers Shobha Karnadlaje and Pralhad Joshi and former CM and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy of forming a “gang” to topple the Congress government.
The BJP’s alleged “attempts to undermine the Siddaramaiah government” come amid a barrage of accusations regarding corruption and irregularities under the Congress government. The BJP has called for the resignation of CM Siddaramaiah, citing substantial evidence and serious allegations of corruption.
However, the Congress maintains that the BJP’s actions are a desperate attempt to seize power and that the Siddaramaiah government with a strength of 136 MLAs is strong and committed to serving the people. “But these people have promised PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and are walking around with an aim to topple the government,” Gowda added.
