Amid the threat of instability to the Janata Dal (Secular)–Congress coalition government because of alleged manoeuvres by the Bharatiya Janata Party, State BJP chief B.S. Yeddyurappa on Sunday claimed that some Congress leaders were in touch with him and would soon join the party.
His statement comes close on the heels of allegations made by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy that BJP leaders were trying to destabilise the government and were attempting to influence Central agencies to take action against leaders of the coalition. Bengaluru Rural MP D.K. Suresh, on Saturday, said BJP leaders were trying to fix his brother and Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Mr. Suresh also said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is trying to register a case against his brother and it could, in turn, destabilise the government.
On Sunday, Mr. Yeddyurappa claimed that some Congress leaders were in touch with him on the matter of joining the saffron party. “We are not making any efforts to topple the government. However, some Congress leaders are sure to join the BJP. I do not know why JD(S), Congress leaders are having such worries,” he said. Expressing surprise at the claims of the ruling coalition’s leaders, Mr. Yeddyurappa said his party was busy preparing for the Lok Sabha elections next year.
His statement comes a day before an all-party delegation led by Mr. Kumaraswamy is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek assistance from the Centre for flood relief work in Kodagu. Mr. Yeddyurappa said BJP leaders would be part of the delegation.
Meanwhile, speaking to presspersons, BJP State general secretary Shobha Karandlaje dared the Congress to keep its flock together instead of accusing the BJP of trying to destabilise the government.