Congress Release Audio of Yeddyurappa 'Trying to Poach' BC Patil, BJP Calls it 'Mimicry'
The audio clip surfaced just hours before Yeddyurappa was to face a floor test in the Karnataka Assembly. The party had on Friday released a similar clip purportedly of mining baron Janardhana Reddy trying to lure a Congress MLA by offering to make him a minister so that he “can make 100 times more money”.
Updated:May 19, 2018, 2:20 PM IST
Bengaluru: The Congress on Saturday released yet another audio clip of alleged poaching attempt by the BJP, this time accusing Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa of trying to lure Hirekerur MLA BC Patil by offering him a cabinet berth.
The audio clip surfaced just hours before Yeddyurappa was to face a floor test in the Karnataka Assembly. The party had on Friday released a similar clip purportedly of mining baron Janardhana Reddy trying to lure a Congress MLA by offering to make him a minister so that he “can make 100 times more money”.
Following is the transcript of the latest audio clip, the authenticity of which could not be independently verified by News18.
BC Patil: Hello ... hello... hello ... give him the phone (asking the man who called to hand the phone over)
Yeddyurappa: Hello
Patil: Anna namaskara, congratulations
Yeddyurappa: Where are you?
Patil: Going to Kochi in the bus
Yeddyurappa: Don’t go to Kochi, come back. Come back and we’ll make you a minister… help you in whatever way you want
Patil: Anna… okay… you’ve told me now. If you tell me something about what next…
Yeddyurappa: I could only tell you when the time was right, which is why I’m doing it now. Now don’t go to Kochi, come back
Patil: But we’re in the bus
Yeddyurappa: Don’t go, make some excuse and come back
Patil: So what will be my position?
Yeddyurappa: You will become a minister
Patil: Anna, I have three other people with me
Yeddyurappa: Bring them with you, you have faith in me no?
Patil: Yes, yes
Yeddyurappa: Now come back, don’t go in the bus
Patil: Okay Anna… okay
Yeddyurappa: Once you go to Cochin, the matter is closed because we won’t be able to catch you.
Patil: Okay, okay, Anna
Yeddyurappa: Now tell me what you’re going to do
Patil: I’ll call you back in 5 minutes and tell you
Dismissing the charges, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Sadananda Gowda accused the Congress of using “mimicry audio”.