The opposition parties in Karnataka are demanding the resignation of Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa over his "admission" in a leaked video that central BJP leaders were responsible for the mass resignation of rebel Congress and JD(S) MLAs that lead to the collapse of the coalition government in July.
Even as the Congress is planning to meet Governor Vajubhai Vala in this regard, the JD(S) is hoping to submit the video as evidence before the Supreme Court, which has reserved its order in the disqualification petition of 17 rebel MLAs.
The video in question is purportedly of an internal party meeting of BJP held in Hubballi on Friday, where Yediyurappa can be heard speaking about the "sacrifices" made by the rebel MLAs and the involvement of BJP national president Amit Shah in the alleged political coup.
Leader of opposition in assembly Siddaramaiah said the video was enough proof to show that the BJP had murdered democracy. "We will petition the governor and the President, demanding action against Yediyurappa and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Both should step down from their posts," demanded Siddaramaiah.
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Former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy alleged that Yediyurappa had accepted that he had got directions from Delhi to conduct 'Operation Kamala'. "We have decided to present this video as evidence before the Supreme Court," he said.
Incidentally, the apex court, which has completed the hearing in the petition challenging the disqualification of the 17 rebel MLAs, is likely to give its verdict on November 4.
The Congress will appeal before the Supreme Court to consider the video as evidence against the BJP leaders for allegedly engineering the collapse of the coalition government.
KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said the latest leaked video was a fine example of how the BJP had hatched a conspiracy to topple the coalition government. "Earlier too, an audio recording had Yediyurappa claiming the courts and other agencies would favour the BJP. This government has been formed immorally. Both Yediyurappa and Amit Shah are answerable," said Rao.
Meanwhile, the disqualified MLAs, who are hoping to get a favourable verdict in the apex court that will pave their way to contest the bypolls, now fear the video might be a spoiler if they are tried under the anti-defection law.
