Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader C T Ravi on Saturday issued a stern caution to the Congress in Karnataka, threatening retaliation if the ruling party seeks to induct BJP leaders into its ranks. In response to rumours that Congress was considering inducting leaders from other parties ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Ravi invoked the prospect of "Operation Hasta"(the hand, which is Congress' symbol-- like 'Operation Lotus') as a response.


Ravi, the former BJP national general secretary, urged the Congress to prioritise effective administration in light of its large Assembly majority, cautioning against any unnecessary undertakings, news agency PTI reported. "If you (Congress) try to do something unnecessary, we are not the sort of people who will remain silent," Ravi said, implying a possible reaction.


Ravi emphasised that the focus should be on governance and meeting the expectations of the electorate rather than unnecessary political moves, citing Congress' clear majority. "Instead of that, if you try to do something unnecessary, we are not the sort of people who will remain silent," Ravi was quoted as saying by PTI.


While political and media circles speculated about the rejoining of opposition leaders and sitting MLAs, particularly from the BJP, D K Shivakumar, State Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister, stated that several political workers were willing to join the Congress. Ravi's comments are in response to the increasing speculation.


Ravi reflected on previous political dynamics, recalling the 2019 defections of Congress-JD(S) MLAs to the BJP, attributing the shift to a lack of coalition stability. He acknowledged that the current situation is different, with the Congress holding a clear majority, and emphasised that BJP members would not easily leave their party.


Asserting that no one will leave the BJP, Ravi stated that the Congress is unable to keep its own senior leaders on good terms, and that everything is not well within the ruling party.


"However, if Congress tries to do something excessively, we know how to save our party and respond politically," Ravi said.