A controversy has erupted over expensive iPhones gifted to MPs from Karnataka by a state Congress Minister with BJP today terming it a “shame on democracy” even as Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy pleaded ignorance about the largesse.
As the JDS-Congress coalition government came in the line of fire over the issue, Kumaraswamy said he was not aware of the gift and it was not discussed with him, but his ministerial colleague DK Shivakumar said they were given on his behalf as a “gesture” to the law makers.
The gift was given to 40 Karnataka MPs ahead of a meeting of them convened by Kumaraswamy in New Delhi to discuss state-related issues, including the Cauvery, to be taken up in the Parliament during the monsoon session beginning Wednesday.