Hours before the presentation of the state budget, Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday released two audio clips claiming that BJP leader B.S. Yeddyurappa was luring Congress-JD(S) MLAs to topple the government. The audio is a conversation allegedly between Yeddyurappa and JD(S) MLA Naganagowda Kandkur's son Sharana, where Yeddyurappa made an offer of Rs 25 lakh and ministerial post for his father.
Kumaraswamy released the clips at a hurriedly called press conference hours before the presentation of the state budget in the assembly. Kumaraswamy claimed Yeddyurappa called Nagan Gouda's son Sharan Gouda in the early hours of Friday attempting to entice his father.
"Without the knowledge of the prime minister, is it possible to do this," he asked, saying Modi should come clean on the issue. "On one side, Narendra Modi is preaching to the country and politicians. On the other side, he is encouraging his friends to demolish democracy through black money. I will expose this now, I have the proof to back my charge," charged Kumaraswamy at a press meeting in Bengaluru. "He (Modi) is systemically demolishing this country's democracy, misleading the people. I request all the opposition parties to rise. They must expose the truth of the Prime Minister in Parliament," he added.
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In response to the allegations made by the Karnataka chief minister, advocate .R.L.N Murthy has filed a complaint against Yeddyurappa, Malleshwaram BJP MLA Ashwath Narayan and others alleging that "the BJP has committed an offence of kidnapping and wrongful confinement of some members of legislative assembly, not allowing them to participate in budget session 2019".
However, Yeddyurappa dismissed the audio clips as "fake".
The Karnataka assembly has been witnessing unprecedented scenes in the budget session with the BJP continuing to disrupt house proceedings and disgruntled MLAs from the ruling Congress-JD(S) alliance skipping the legislature sitting. The assembly was adjourned for the second day on Thursday as BJP MLAs disrupted proceedings for the second day alleging that the Congress-JD(S) coalition government lacked majority. The nine Congress MLAs, who had skipped the legislature sitting Wednesday, were not present in the House on Thursday as well. CM Kumaraswamy will present the state budget for 2019-20 on Friday.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA from Raichur Basanagouda Daddal, who was reportedly disgruntled with the party, trashed the media reports on Friday. "I'm in the party, I haven't gone anywhere. That's the reason I'm attending legislative party meeting. All rumours spread by media," he said.
Another legislator, JD(S) MLA Narayana Gowda, said he missed the assembly proceedings as he was admitted in a hospital. "I have been admitted to hospital due to food poisoning, and doctors are advising to not go out. I couldn't attend the legislative party meet and budget session. But I have informed my leader Kumaraswamy and the speaker, as well," he informed.
(With agency inputs)
