‘Modi, Shah, Yeddyurappa's gang of three trying to topple Karnataka govt’: Congress on audio clips by Kumaraswamy

During the briefing, Congress’ KC Venugopal said “Entire country is shocked by hearing the news from Karnataka. Karnataka CM released audio clippings of deliberation of Yeddyurappa with one of the brother of JD(S) MLA revealing dirty politics of Modi ji & Amit Shah to destabilise the Karnataka govt.”

Kumaraswamy alleged that destabilisation efforts were being carried out with the "permission" of Modi and BJP president Amit Shah/ Image source: PTI

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday slammed BJP government over the audio tapes released by H D Kumaraswamy which state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa is purportedly trying to lure a JDSMLA for destabilising the coalition government. In his media briefing Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said "Karnataka has been reeling under political turmoil for the past few weeks that also saw the resort politics play out with both BJP and Congress sequestering their MLAs to shield them poaching bid." Surjewala further added "BJP’s gang of three is trying to topple the Karnataka government. This gang of PM Modi, Amit Shah and Yeddyurappa is using the Karnataka governor as a puppet to topple the elected government of the state" The press conference was earlier expected to be conducted by INC Chief Rahul Gandhi. During the briefing, Congress’ KC Venugopal said “Entire country is shocked by hearing the news from Karnataka y'day. Karnataka CM released audio clippings of deliberation of Yeddyurappa with one of the brother of JD(S) MLA revealing dirty politics of Modi ji & Amit Shah to destabilise the Karnataka govt.”

The entire country is shocked by news from Karnataka. @CMofKarnataka released audio clippings of deliberation @BSYBJP with a JDS MLA revealing the ugly and dirty politics of @narendramodi and @AmitShah to destabilize the Karnataka govt: K C Venugopal

— Congress Live (@INCIndiaLive) February 9, 2019

“It (audio clips) states that BS Yeddyurappa is offering Rs 10 Cr per MLA & in his deliberation, it's clear there are 18 MLAs. Therefore it comes at the rate of around Rs 200 Cr. He's offering 12 MLAs minister post, 6 were offered chairman posts in different boards" he said. “He is also offering election expenses to MLAs after they resign. They offered Rs 50 Crore to the speaker for not disqualifying his MLAs. Clippings are referring to the names of Amit Shah & Narendra Modi ji for managing here & there through Yeddyurappa himself” Venugopal further added. Kumaraswamy had alleged that destabilisation efforts were being carried out with the "permission" of Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. In the clip, a male voice is heard offering money and ministerial berth, besides assuring Sharan Gouda about "taking care" of the speaker and the judges in case of the anti- defection law being invoked. Yeddyurappa, who is at the vortex of the row over his alleged bid to poach the ruling coalition MLAs for the past few weeks, was quick to dismiss the clip as "fake" and a "concocted story". Karnataka has been reeling under political turmoil for the past few weeks that also saw the resort politics play out with both BJP and Congress sequestering their MLAs to shield them poaching bid