HD Kumaraswamy drops audio bombshell on BSY, Congress to seek rebels’ disqualification
TNN | Updated: Feb 9, 2019, 07:51 IST
Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy and deputy CM G Parameshwara with others addressing the media while releasing the audio clip.BENGALURU: On a day the BJP appeared set to scuttle the budget presentation, chief minister HD Kumaraswamy took the saffron party by surprise by releasing an audio clip, purportedly of state BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa trying to lure a JD(S) MLA to switch sides.
“Show your real face,” he challenged PM Modi at a press meet called hours before the budget, saying the state BJP could not be carrying out Operation Lotus without the knowledge of the central leadership. “The BJP has been trying to destabilise my government from day one using illegal means and money earned through corruption,” Kumaraswamy alleged.
The 10-minute audio clip, he alleged, contained a conversation between Yeddyurappa, Devadurga BJP MLA Shivanagouda Naik and Sharanagouda, son of JD(S) MLA from Gurmitkal, Nagannagouda Kandakur, at a government guesthouse in Devadurga of Raichur district late Thursday night. Yeddyurappa, he alleged, offered Sharanagouda Rs 10 crore cash and a ministerial berth if he (Sharanagouda) contested the byelection on a BJP ticket.
Yeddyurappa said the clip was “fake” and “doctored”. “I will retire from politics if it is proved that the voice on the clip is mine,” he said. “Kumaraswamy is a cinema man and he can create such audio clips with voiceovers of others.” The CM said he might be a film producer, but the tape wasn’t fake.
Even as the JD(S)-BJP slugfest was unfolding, the Congress finally decided to crack
down on dissident MLAs who defied the party whip for the third time in less than a month by skipping Friday’s Congress legislature party meeting. The party will approach the speaker to disqualify Ramesh Jarkiholi, Umesh Jadhav, Mahesh Kumattalli and B Nagendra. “The CLP has taken the decision to move for legal action against the four under the antidefection law,” said CLP leader Siddaramaiah.
EXCERPTS OF THE ALLEGED CONVERSATION
BSY: What do you do?
Sharanagouda: I am into politics full-time.
BSY: What’s your father’s age
Sharan: 72 years.
BSY: If everything goes well, will you contest the election?
Sharan: I haven’t yet decided anything sir. It depends on the situation.
BSY: Don't worry. In four days, everything will be over. Our government will be instaled. You can become a minister and move on in life. Don't think too much. We don't have anybody there (in Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts). We will make you a minister.
Sharan: I am wondering if the work will be over (of toppling the coalition government) if I alone switch to BJP.
BSY: You come to Bombay (Mumbai). You can see with your own eyes. Dr Sudhakar has also joined us in Bombay yesterday. Another two are going to Bombay after the assembly session tomorrow (Friday). If you come, the number will become 13-14. Then we need just one more MLA. After that we are not going to offer ministerial berths to anyone. Join us. I will treat you like my son. Leave everything to me and start to (Mumbai). I will get funds for your election expenses and make you a minister.
Sharan: People say that my father will lose his membership if he switches to BJP. I am worried that I may bring him trouble in his old age.
BSY: Who cares for whips and threats of disqualification. Siddaramaiah has been shouting for the past three days. Did anyone care? Tomorrow, our number will touch 11, nothing is going to happen to them.
BSY: We are trying to take 20 MLAs from Congress and JD(S). Of them 12 will be made ministers and the remaining eight as heads of boards and corporations. Whoever becomes minister will be given Rs 10 crore each.
Naik: Our aim is to gather 15 MLAs and get them to resign. Money has already been paid to speaker Ramesh Kumar to accept resignations.
Sharan: Is it?
Shivanagouda Naik: Yes, 50 crore.
Sharan: But people say he is in favour of Congress.
Naik: He will accept resignations immediately. I will tell you how they managed it. If they don't accept resignations, then they will make it a constitutional crisis and bring in governor's rule. Then they (BJP) will ensure resignations are accepted through a court ruling. Then they will call for government formation. It has happened at the highest level… at Modi, Amit Shah and governor level.
Sharan: This will happen only if they are involved!
Naik: At high court and supreme court level, Amit Shah has held discussions in case there is any problem from the speaker...
“Show your real face,” he challenged PM Modi at a press meet called hours before the budget, saying the state BJP could not be carrying out Operation Lotus without the knowledge of the central leadership. “The BJP has been trying to destabilise my government from day one using illegal means and money earned through corruption,” Kumaraswamy alleged.
The 10-minute audio clip, he alleged, contained a conversation between Yeddyurappa, Devadurga BJP MLA Shivanagouda Naik and Sharanagouda, son of JD(S) MLA from Gurmitkal, Nagannagouda Kandakur, at a government guesthouse in Devadurga of Raichur district late Thursday night. Yeddyurappa, he alleged, offered Sharanagouda Rs 10 crore cash and a ministerial berth if he (Sharanagouda) contested the byelection on a BJP ticket.
Yeddyurappa said the clip was “fake” and “doctored”. “I will retire from politics if it is proved that the voice on the clip is mine,” he said. “Kumaraswamy is a cinema man and he can create such audio clips with voiceovers of others.” The CM said he might be a film producer, but the tape wasn’t fake.
Even as the JD(S)-BJP slugfest was unfolding, the Congress finally decided to crack
down on dissident MLAs who defied the party whip for the third time in less than a month by skipping Friday’s Congress legislature party meeting. The party will approach the speaker to disqualify Ramesh Jarkiholi, Umesh Jadhav, Mahesh Kumattalli and B Nagendra. “The CLP has taken the decision to move for legal action against the four under the antidefection law,” said CLP leader Siddaramaiah.
EXCERPTS OF THE ALLEGED CONVERSATION
BSY: What do you do?
Sharanagouda: I am into politics full-time.
BSY: What’s your father’s age
Sharan: 72 years.
BSY: If everything goes well, will you contest the election?
Sharan: I haven’t yet decided anything sir. It depends on the situation.
BSY: Don't worry. In four days, everything will be over. Our government will be instaled. You can become a minister and move on in life. Don't think too much. We don't have anybody there (in Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts). We will make you a minister.
Sharan: I am wondering if the work will be over (of toppling the coalition government) if I alone switch to BJP.
BSY: You come to Bombay (Mumbai). You can see with your own eyes. Dr Sudhakar has also joined us in Bombay yesterday. Another two are going to Bombay after the assembly session tomorrow (Friday). If you come, the number will become 13-14. Then we need just one more MLA. After that we are not going to offer ministerial berths to anyone. Join us. I will treat you like my son. Leave everything to me and start to (Mumbai). I will get funds for your election expenses and make you a minister.
Sharan: People say that my father will lose his membership if he switches to BJP. I am worried that I may bring him trouble in his old age.
BSY: Who cares for whips and threats of disqualification. Siddaramaiah has been shouting for the past three days. Did anyone care? Tomorrow, our number will touch 11, nothing is going to happen to them.
BSY: We are trying to take 20 MLAs from Congress and JD(S). Of them 12 will be made ministers and the remaining eight as heads of boards and corporations. Whoever becomes minister will be given Rs 10 crore each.
Naik: Our aim is to gather 15 MLAs and get them to resign. Money has already been paid to speaker Ramesh Kumar to accept resignations.
Sharan: Is it?
Shivanagouda Naik: Yes, 50 crore.
Sharan: But people say he is in favour of Congress.
Naik: He will accept resignations immediately. I will tell you how they managed it. If they don't accept resignations, then they will make it a constitutional crisis and bring in governor's rule. Then they (BJP) will ensure resignations are accepted through a court ruling. Then they will call for government formation. It has happened at the highest level… at Modi, Amit Shah and governor level.
Sharan: This will happen only if they are involved!
Naik: At high court and supreme court level, Amit Shah has held discussions in case there is any problem from the speaker...
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