Karnataka: Congress shifts MLAs to resort, alleges 'national conspiracy' to topple govt

Four MLAs skipped Congress Legislature Party meeting on Friday

The luxury bus stationed in front of Vidhana Soudha to ferry the Congress MLAs to a resort near Bengaluru The luxury bus stationed in front of Vidhana Soudha to ferry the Congress MLAs to a resort near Bengaluru

The fear of 'Operation Kamala' continues to haunt the Karnataka Congress party, which has decided to keep all their 79 MLAs in a resort near Bengaluru.

The Congress legislature party meeting convened on Friday was meant to show the party's unity and strength, but a nervous Congress, which had vocally accused the BJP of confining their MLAs in a resort in Gurugram, herded its own MLAs into a luxury bus stationed in the Vidhana Soudha complex to ferry them to the resort, soon after the meeting.

The meeting saw an encouraging turnout of 75 out of 79 MLAs (excluding Speaker). Of the four absentees, three MLAs—Ramesh Jarkiholi (Gokak), Mahesh Kumatalli (Athani) and B. Nagendra (Ballari Rural)—skipped the meeting, despite the CLP leader Siddaramaiah warning them that keeping away from the meeting would cost them their primary membership. Chincholi MLA Umesh Jadhav has reportedly sent a letter citing ill health for his absence.

Siddaramaiah, who addressed a press meet soon after the meeting, alleged that the BJP had hatched a big conspiracy.

"The BJP lost their face twice. They don't believe in democracy or the Constitution. Yeddyurappa claims they were discussing parliament polls. Then what were they doing in a resort in Haryana? The central BJP leaders are also involved in trying to topple the coalition government,” he said.

BJP is keen on winning more seats in Karnataka, but they cannot win any seat in south India, mocked Siddaramaiah.

"I have learnt that the BJP's own survey says they will win hardly three seats, as the allies will win more. Even the prime minister and [BJP chief] Amit Shah are desperate. We have shown our unity and strength. Our party is intact and united. The BJP is trying to lure our MLAs with crores of money. Where does chowkidar get so much money from?" asked Siddaramaiah.

"Many of our legislators like Shivalli, Hebbar, Anjali and Ramappa have been offered money and promised ministership by the BJP," alleged Siddaramaiah, adding that the MLAs would be in the resort till "things are better".

Hinting that the party and the rebels have not called a truce, Siddaramaiah said, "Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumatalli were absent [at the CLP meeting], while Umesh Jadhav has sent a letter seeking exemption. Nagendra told [Congress general secretary] K.C. Venugopal that he was busy attending a court case. However, we will verify Umesh and Nagendra's cases. As the CLP leader, I will issue notice seeking an explanation for their absence."

KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the state BJP leaders were carrying out 'Operation Lotus' with the blessings of Modi, Amit Shah and central ministers. “The BJP is using all central agencies against our MLAs and offering money in crores. Where did they get all the money from?,” he asked.

Justifying the shifting of Congress MLAs into the resort, Rao said the BJP was using unconstitutional means to topple the coalition government. "It is a national conspiracy, " charged Rao.

"The CLP meeting condemned the anti-democratic attempts to topple our government. It’s a no-holds-barred onslaught being spearheaded by Modi and Shah. With 100 BJP MLAs holed up in a 7-star resort in Gurugram, spending crores of rupees, it’s an open declaration of their intent to destabilise us," added Rao.

Strangely, the Congress leaders gave contradictory statements about their stay in the resort. While Siddaramaiah said the move was to "withstand the onslaught of the BJP", he also asserted that his MLAs could not be lured with money.

Wakf minister Zameer Ahmed Khan alleged that the party MLAs were being harassed by the BJP, and that they received calls from unknown numbers. "We plan to stay in the resort as the MLAs want to discuss their problems with AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal. We cannot have such big meetings in party office," said Zameer.

Siddaramaiah said though the CLP meeting was convened to discuss the preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the same would now be held in the resort.

TAGS