The sting operation by two national TV channels over some Karnataka MlAs allegedly asking favours in return of votes has led to a big political blame game.
The ruling Congress, in the thick of the controversy, has denied all the allegations over the third candidate KC Ramamurthy’s claim that he has to pay for the extra votes. The party said that it would not stoop down to this level. Another independent MlA Varthur Prakash, who has identified with the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, claimed that he was organising for the Congress candidate, has put ruling party in a fix. However Chief Minister Siddaramaiah put up a brave face and said “Congress has never done such things and they will never do it”.
He also blamed Yeddyurappa for “operation Kamala “that was used to weaken opposition parties when BJP was in power in the State.
“Such things were started by Yeddyurappa, who did operation KamalaIJ It is he who started such things.” Siddaramaiah told reporters.
He said “...all of those whose names have appeared in the sting operation have denied it. Whether such thing has happened or not, I don't know. How can I reactIJ”
But BJP and JD(S) directly blamed Chief Minister for being “behind the attempts to woo MlAs.” BJP state President and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa called Siddaramaiah an “architect” behind the entire episode.
“They are saying Rs100 crore package will be given to those supporting Congress along with other benefits... Chief Minister is the only one trying to lure and no one else.”
Yeddyurappa demanded that the Election Commission take appropriate action on this issue. Union Minister BJP’s Nirmala Sitharaman is contesting from Karnataka.
Former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda said “Chief Minister who has grown from my party (JDS) is doing this to finish the party.” Devegowda, demanded Chief Minister to reply to the allegations. “The dissidents in the party (JD-S) including Zamir Ahmed and four others are in touch with the Congress. He has to answer.” He demanded that the elections be postponed.
The footage of “sting operation” by one channel showed a JD(S) MlA purportedly talking about crores of rupees in the context of supporting a candidate. Another channel showed Congress candidate K C Ramamurthy and independent MlAs purportedly speaking about getting enhanced development funds for the constituency by the Government in return for votes.
Meanwhile, following a sting operation by a news channel showing four Karnataka MlAs allegedly willing to sell their votes in the June 11 election to the Rajya Sabha from legislative Assembly, Election Commissioner Anil Kumar Jha said that “it has come to our knowledge and the same has been sent to the Chief Election Commissioner and on getting direction further action will be taken.”
Replying to a question, he said that “based on the reports appearing, it has been conveyed to the CEC and there is no direction to cancel or to postpone the June 11 election to the Rajya Sabha”.
JD(S) legislators Mallikarjun Khuba representing Basavakalyana constitutency, G T Deve Gowda (Chamundeshwari), KJP's B R Patil of Aland and Independent legislator Varthur Prakash of Kolar are among the MlAs approached by Delhi-based channels posing as agents of political parties.
Ruling Congress, which has 123 members can get two candidates elected- former Union Ministers Oscar Fernandes and Jairam Ramesh would get elected on its own strength, had fielded former top cop K C Ramamurthy as third candidate and needed 13 votes to get him elected, while JD(S), which has only 40 votes has fielded industrialist B M Farooq and was in requirement of five additional votes. Besides the party was also facing internal bickering with five rebel legislators openly announcing that they will support Congress candidate.
A candidate needs 45 first preference votes to win. The deal, according to sting operation telecast by the news channel ranged between Rs5 crore to 10 crore.
However, all the four MlAs vehemently denied that they had sought money and questioned the veracity of the report. Another KJP MlA BR Patil, from Aland constituency resorted to a silent protest in front of Vidhana Soudha and said he is in consultation with the lawyers and will file a defamation case against the channels. “They have tarnished my image by beaming the sting operation and I will file a case against them,” he added.