BJP stands exposed ,Amit Shah behind the poaching of MLAs in Karnataka
BANGALURU/ NEW DELHI : BJP chief Amit Shah “supervised and made all arrangements” for the Karnataka MLAs who carried out a protracted mutiny that led to the collapse of the Congress-Janata Dal Secular government earlier this year, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa is heard saying in a leaked audio clip that has embarrassed his administration just as it completed 100 days in power.
Asked about his response to the clip, Mr Yediyurappa did not challenge its authenticity and said that he was speaking to BJP workers “in the interest of the party”. In the clip, he is heard asking party workers to behave better with the 17 MLAs of the Congress and Janata Dal Secular (JDS) who resigned from the assembly, bringing down the HD Kumaraswamy government in July this year.
In the clip, shared widely on social media, Mr Yediyurappa says that the BJP national president and Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, knew about the plans of the rebel MLAs who camped at a five-star hotel in Mumbai, skipping the floor test despite party whips.
“You do know, don’t you, that it wasn’t Yediyurappa who made them take this decision. The national president was aware of this and supervised this and made all arrangements. You do know this? You do know, don’t you, about the decision of 17 people – they were away in Mumbai for two-three months. You do know that, don’t you?” the CM is heard saying.
“Unusually, they helped us, who should have been on the opposition for the rest of the term. They helped us become the ruling party. They gave their resignation as MLAs, went to the Supreme Court. Knowing all this – we should stand by them, come what may,” he said.
“But none of you has said this. I did not expect this from you. I am sorry. I didn’t need to become CM (Chief Minister). I have been CM three or four times. I have seen this. I now feel I have committed a crime by becoming CM after making them have faith in me,” Mr Yediyurappa said.The audio clip has emerged just days after a tape of Congress’s Siddaramaiah talking about caste politics with party members made its way to social media.
Asked about the clip, BS Yediyurappa told a TV Chanel on Saturday, “I have discussed in detail in Hubballi about one particular constituency. Those who are responsible workers, they should not speak like that (about rebel MLAs). In the interest of the party they must support everybody. On (November) 3rd, 4th, 5th – after Supreme Court decision – other things will be decided.”
This is mainly attributed to the “negative impact” of the manner in which the BJP came to power by wooing MLAs from the ruling combine. “Several deserving leaders have missed out on ministerial opportunity as the berths have been reserved for 15 disqualified MLAs whose action resulted in collapse of the coalition government. ” observed another BJP leader.
As the State heads to bypolls, ticket aspirants from the party’s own cadre in the 15 Assembly seats are upset over they being made to give up the seats for disqualified MLAs.
“Several actions of the BJP high command, including that of making Mr. Yediyurappa wait for nearly a month to expand his ministry and creation of three posts of Deputy CMs besides the delay in announcing flood aid, are being seen as the Central leadership trying to keep him under check. This has diminished his clout, reflecting in the governance,” a party insider said.
Meanwhile, JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday said the BJP as a party stood exposed by an audio clipping in which chief minister B S Yediyurappa purportedly is heard saying rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs, who were later disqualified, were kept in Mumbai during the final days of the coalition government under the watch of BJP chief Amit Shah.
In the clipping that has gone viral, Yediyurappa has hit out at party leaders for lack of support in “saving” the BJP government and not recognising the “sacrifice” of disqualified Congress-JD(S) MLAs, because of whom they could come to power. Kumaraswamy, who was then chief minister, said he has decided to file a petition in court based on the contents of the clipping.
Meanwhile, The Congress on Saturday alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was behind the poaching of its MLAs to sabotage the elected Janata Dal-Secular-Congress government in Karnataka earlier this year and demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a press conference ,Party General Secretary K. C. Venugopal said, ” I think you all are aware of the latest video of BS Yediyurappa related to poaching of Congress & JD(S) MLAs. We have always said that BJP is misusing govt agencies to poach MLAs, now it’s established beyond doubt. We’ll approach SC with the evidence,”
Firing salvos at Modi, the Congress leader said, “We have questions to the Prime Minister, what is this going on? What is his response?” He added, “To the BJP President and Home Minister, his name is being taken by his own Chief Minister, what is his reaction? We are expecting a reaction from the Home Minister.”
The people of India are expecting a reply from the Prime Minister and Shah about the serious incident, Venugopal said.
(With Agency Inputs ).
