Published 17:06 IST, November 3rd 2019
HD Gowda demands case against K'taka CM Yediyurappa over alleged video
Former PM HD Deve Gowda alleged that Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa indulged in "horse-trading" to form a BJP-led government and called for a case against him.
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Saturday alleged that Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa indulged in "horse-trading" to form a BJP-led government. He even suggested a case should be registered against him. "Karnataka government in the leadership of Yediyurappa came to power because of many dirty malpractices. A case should be registered against him the way it happened in Uttarakhand horse-trading case," the JD(S) leader said. Congress workers staged a protest in Bengaluru on Sunday wearing masks of several BJP leaders.
Deve Gowda was reacting to an audio-tape released by Congress party in which the Yediyurappa was purportedly heard saying that he and then-BJP president Amit Shah were involved in the resignation 17 Congress-JD(S) government. The Congress-JDS government of Gowda's son HD Kumaraswamy collapsed after it failed to prove its majority in the Assembly in July this year. The Congress has pledged to take up the matter with President Ram Nath Kovind and party leader Dinesh Gundu Rao also said that the party will submit the audio-tape in the Supreme Court which is hearing a case of the 17 Congress-JD(S) MLAs challenging their disqualification by then-Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar.
What's in the audio-tape?
In the tape released by Congress, a voice allegedly of Yediyurappa’s can be heard saying: "The manner in which you speak, it doesn't seem that you are interested in saving the government. I hope all of you here are aware of the fact that the decision on all of those 17 rebel legislators was not taken by Yediyurappa but by our national president who ensured that they are kept in Mumbai for two and a half months. For two and a half months, none of them went to their constituencies or even met with their families. I hope you are aware of this. Whether we will win or lose these elections is a different matter. We will try to win all of them. In such a serious situation, those who were responsible for ensuring that we do not sit in the opposition for three and a half years and form the government are not being treated properly by you. We should stand by them come what may because they have resigned as legislators and have even gone to the supreme court saying their resignations should be accepted. So many of you have given lectures, have tried to give advice but think of what you would do if you are in the position. I don't know what is the opinion of ministers and our central leaders that will be discussed later. I am sure whatever it is, your speaking will become news outside and you will ensure that."
(With ANI inputs)
Updated 21:11 IST, November 3rd 2019