The Congress today raised the political crisis in Karnataka in the Lok Sabha with its leader of the house Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleging that the BJP is behind resignation of 14 MLAs of the ruling coalition. Chowdhury accused the BJP of resorting to "poaching politics" to destabilise the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government in Karnataka.

Chowdhury said, "Today it is Karnataka, tomorrow it would be Madhya Pradesh. The BJP is indulging in poaching politics to topple a democratically elected government in Karnataka. People don't trust the neeti and neeyat (policy and intentions) of the BJP. Poaching politics should be stopped."

He said when the MLAs resign they have chartered plane waiting for them. This shows BJP's hand behind the political crisis. Chowdhury alleged that the BJP leaders in Karnataka were saying that they will "take over Madhya Pradesh after Karnataka".

Madhya Pradesh is another state where the Congress is in power but does not have a majority of its own. It depends on the Bahujan Samaj Party and Independent MLAs for its stability.

Responding to the charge by Chowdhury, Defence Minister said, "Whatever is happening in Karnataka is an internal matter of the congress. They have not been able to manage their own affairs and choose to disrupt the proceedings of the house instead."

As Speaker Om Birla moved ahead with the session's proceedings in the Lok Sabha, Congress MPs could be heard shouting slogans against the BJP saying poaching politics should be stopped.
Earlier, a the Congress raised the issue in the Rajya Sabh where party MP BK Hariprasad pressed for suspend the business and discuss Karnataka political crisis. But Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu disallowed the motion.

As Naidu ruled to go ahead with Zero Hour, the Congress members shouted slogans. The din continued in the House with Naidu asking the members to let the proceedings continue. With ruckus in the Rajya Sabha continuing, Naidu adjourned the house till 12 noon.