It’s matter of national shame: Congress attacks BJP on ‘Operation Lotus’

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Saturday accused Bharatiya Janata Party’s BS Yeddyurappa of attempting to destabilise the ruling Congress-JDS coalition by offering 12 MLAs ministerial post and post of chairman in different boards. “It (audio clips) states that BS Yeddyurappa is offering Rs 10 crore per MLA and in his deliberation, it's clear there are 18 MLAs. Therefore, it comes at the rate of around Rs 200 crore. He's offering 12 MLAs minister post, 6 were offered chairman posts in different boards,” Venugopal said.

“He is also offering election expenses to MLAs after they resign. They offered Rs 50 crore to the speaker for not disqualifying his MLAs. Clippings are referring to the names of Amit Shah & Narendra Modi ji for managing here & there through Yeddyurappa himself,” he added.

KC Venugopal: It (audio clips) states that BS Yeddyurappa is offering Rs 10 Cr per MLA & in his deliberation, it's clear there are 18 MLAs. Therefore it comes at the rate of around Rs 200 Cr. He's offering 12 MLAs minister post, 6 were offered chairman posts in different boards. pic.twitter.com/k837nsPOy8

— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2019

Reacting to the development, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala slammed the BJP saying its matter of national shame that the trio of – Amit Shah, PM Modi, and Yeddyurappa – is trying to destabilise a government.

“In what capacity is BJP Karnataka President and former CM discussing approaching SC judges to get the case right? Have Narendra Modi & Amit Shah given them such assurances? Has the SC become a 'jebi dukaan' of BJP?” he added.

Randeep Surjewala on audio clips released by Karnataka CM y'day: In what capacity is BJP Karnataka President & former CM discussing approaching SC judges to get the case right? Have Narendra Modi & Amit Shah given them such assurances? Has the SC become a 'jebi dukaan' of BJP? pic.twitter.com/rZRNIFVRVj

— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2019

Earlier on Friday, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy released audio clips of the alleged conversation of Yeddyurappa luring Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs. "Without the knowledge of the prime minister, is it possible to do all this," Kumaraswamy said, as he lashed out at PM Modi and asked him to come clean on the issue. “Modi and Amit Shah are doing all this," he added.

Kumaraswamy said he would send the audio clips to the prime minister who, he said, claims about being "the only saviour of this country”.

Kumaraswamy alleged there were two audio clips which had recorded the telephonic conversation between Yeddyurappa and Sharan Gouda, son of JDS lawmaker Naganagouda, whom the BJP leader was trying to woo with money and other offers.