Will soon release tape of BJP wooing JD(S) MLAs, says C S Puttaraju

Hubballi: Has the JD(S) gone on the offensive to protect its flock from poaching by the BJP? While Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy recently claimed to have got evidence of the BJP’s Operation Lotus in a sting operation, on Monday, Minor Irrigation Minister  C.S. Puttaraju  claimed the JD(S) had an audio clip of a telephonic conversation  in which  BJP leaders allegedly offered crores to his party legislators to topple the coalition government in the state.

“We will release the tape soon along with the relevant records,” he told reporters in Belagavi. Asserting that the people “will teach a befitting lesson to the BJP”  for allegedly attempting to buy  Congress and JD(S) legislators, he claimed the three kingpins, who had offered the money, had left for Sri Lanka to escape punitive action.

“People are not stupid to keep silent while watching the conspiracy being hatched by the BJP leaders to destabilise the state government. We have phone records of BJP leaders, who tried to lure our legislators by offering them money and a ticket onboard the flight (to Lanka). The government will take appropriate action against these agents,” he warned.

As for Mr  Kumaraswamy’s statement that he could ask  the people to rise in revolt against the saffron party, he maintained the Chief Minister had merely intended to give a warning to the BJP.  Calling the reports of  MLAs being shepherded to resorts to keep them safe from poaching, as “media hype,” Mr Puttaraju declared that no legislator would quit either the Congress or JD(S) to join the BJP. “The state government will complete its full five year term,” he emphasised.