BJP Demands Proof For Karnataka CM's 'Rs 50 Cr Bribe Offer To MLAs' Claim. Deputy CM Hints 'Lot Of Info Coming..'
The controversy began on Wednesday, when Siddaramaiah claimed that the BJP had attempted to bribe 50 Congress MLAs with Rs 50 crore each to unseat his government.
Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra challenged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday to substantiate his allegation that the BJP offered Rs 50 crore each to 50 Congress MLAs to destabilise the Congress government. Vijayendra criticised the Chief Minister, saying that his inability to provide evidence would undermine his credibility and reflect a loss of trust in his own party.
Vijayendra argued that Siddaramaiah’s claim was damaging to democracy, suggesting it portrayed MLAs as “commodities for sale”, as per a report on PTI. He demanded that, given the Chief Minister’s position, it is his responsibility to reveal the source of the alleged claim. If unverified, Vijayendra warned that the accusation would appear as nothing more than a “childish political statement.” He further urged the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to conduct an immediate investigation into the allegation.
“I will not comment on him. Why do you ask me about the person who came (into politics) just recently?” the Chief Minister said, decline to comment on Vijayendra's statement, as per the report.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hinted at insider information regarding BJP communications with Congress MLAs, stating, “A lot of information is coming from the BJP side that they have spoken to our MLAs,” adding that he would discuss this with Siddaramaiah.
The controversy began on Wednesday, when Siddaramaiah, during an inauguration in T Narasipura, Mysuru district, claimed that the BJP had attempted to bribe 50 Congress MLAs with Rs 50 crore each to unseat his government. He alleged that former BJP leaders B S Yediyurappa, Basavaraj Bommai, and current BJP President Vijayendra were involved in the conspiracy, questioning the source of such funds and referring to them as “bribe money.” Siddaramaiah asserted that the BJP, having failed to sway Congress MLAs, has turned to filing false cases against him.
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