While the Siddaramaiah government is suffering from a series of corrupt allegations, in which Chief Minister himself was involved in a major scam, the ruling party in Karnataka accusing the opposition BJP of attempting ‘Operation Kamala’ to destabilize the Siddaramaiah-led government.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is offering Rs 100 crore to Congress MLAs to topple the state government. He claimed that his party MLA Ravikumar Gowda informed him that the BJP is offering Rs 100 crore to his MLAs.
“The BJP came to power in Karnataka only through ‘Operation Lotus’. They have never come to power with the blessings of the people. In 2008 and 2019, they came to power through ‘Operation Lotus’ and backdoor entry,” the Chief Minister said.
“Remember, Congress has 136 MLAs. It’s not easy to topple our government. Around 60 MLAs would have to resign so that the BJP can come to power. I am confident that none of our MLAs will be lured by money,” he asserted.
Congress MLA from Mandya, Ravikumar Gowda (Ravi Ganiga) on Sunday claimed that the BJP is trying to destabilize the government by enticing MLAs. However, he asserted that no legislator would be swayed, and the government would remain stable and strong.
‘Operation Kamala’ (Operation Lotus) refers to the BJP’s alleged strategy of encouraging defections from opposition parties to secure its government or maintain its stability.
“Even today I’m saying, they (BJP) have now raised the offer to Rs 100 crore from Rs 50 crore, someone had called day-before-yesterday saying hundred (crore) ready, (wanted) to purchase 50 MLAs. BJP people have gone from Rs 50 crore to Rs 100 crore,” Gowda added..
In October last year, Gowda had also alleged that attempts were being made to lure Congress legislators with offers of Rs 50 crore and ministerial positions. He claimed that four legislators had been approached, and evidence existed to support these claims.
Gowda accused BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B L Santhosh, Union Ministers Shobha Karandlaje and Pralhad Joshi, along with H D Kumaraswamy from the JD(S), of working together to destabilize the Congress government in Karnataka.
He further stated that with 136 MLAs, the Congress government is “strong like a rock,” led by a popular and pro-poor Chief Minister, making it impossible for anyone to dislodge it.
He deplored that these BJP “brokers” have promised PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and are walking around to topple the government.”
