TD takes advantage of BJP videos

Hyderabad: The Telugu Desam, which is facing allegations in the cash-for-votes scam, has taken advantage of the Karnataka video and audio tapes showing the alleged attempts of BJP leaders at horse-trading ahead of the floor test of former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

After the Karnataka Assembly elections, the BJP formed the government as the single largest party with 104 MLAs, short of the half-way mark by eight MLAs. The BJP leaders reportedly tried to make up the numbers by getting MLAs from the Congress and the JD(S).

Karnataka Congress leaders released several video and audio tapes ahead of the floor test alleging that BJP leaders were trying to purchase Congress and JD(S) MLAs. Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy alleged that BJP had offered '100 crore to each JD(S) MLA.

This has come as an advantage to the TD. Party president and AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu himself faces allegations in the cash-for-vote case.

After Mr Naidu pulled out of the NDA, the TD is expecting a backlash by the BJP-led Centre in the cash-for-votes case. Against this backdrop, the TD is demanding a probe on into the Karnataka video leaks involving BJP leaders.

AP finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu asked why the BJP which was raising the issue of the cash-for-vote case was not talking about audio tapes in Karnataka. 

He said that the High Court had clearly said that the TD and particularly Mr Naidu had no connection with the cash-for-vote tapes. Mr Ramakrishnudu demanded that the Centre should probe the Karnataka tapes and punish the culprits.