BJP MLAs being kept in "confinement" at Gurugram hotel, alleges Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, Jan 17: Hitting out at the BJP for making "futile attempts" to destabilise his government, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Thursday accused the saffron party of keeping its MLAs in "confinement" at a hotel in Gurugram.
Grappling with the political turmoil triggered by reports that the BJP was luring Congress MLAs, Kumaraswamy rejected a charge by the saffron party that he was trying to poach their lawmakers.
"Some people tried to misuse you (the media) in spreading a feeling that on January 15 there would be some-kranthi (revolution).I feel instead of doing some-kranthi they have done some-branti (illusion) to themselves," Kumaraswamy said.
Kumaraswamy was referring to reports about alleged claims in BJP that there would be "some kranthi (revolution)" by 'Sankranthi' on January 15, the festival of harvests in Karnataka, to suggest that the government would fall.
Speaking to reporters here, Kumaraswamy said BJP state president Yeddyurappa making repeated claims that Congress-JD(S) leaders, especially the Chief Minister, was luringhis party MLAs, was "surprising" for him.
"They are making all kinds of futile attempts (to destabilise the government)...," he said.
The ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition and BJP have accused each other of trying to lure the MLAs.
Hitting out at Yeddyurappa for criticising his foreign visit along with family on New Year's eve when the state was reeling under drought, Kumaraswamy asked the BJP president about his party MLAs now spending time at a five star hotel.
Yeddyurappa had spoken with anger although only he was concerned about the farmers and difficulties of the people, he said.
"Is Yeddyurappa and party taking stock of the drought situation in Gurugram, sitting at the hotel? Has the situation in Karnataka improved now?" he asked.
The Chief Minister flayed Yeddyurappa for allegedly confining BJP MLAs at a hotel, while pointing out that the ruling coalition legislators were free.
"I am surprised when you (Yeddyurappa) criticise the Congress and JD(S) for their inability to keep MLAs together..but, you have kept your MLAs in confinement at a hotel, are there differences between you and your MLAs?
We have not kept any of our MLAs in confinement, we have left them free," Kumaraswamy said.
"You (BJP) are doing everything (trying to poach MLAs), but now blaming us, if you feel that people will accept whatever you say, you are wrong. People will give answer to BJP leaders at the right time," he added.
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Women of country will give you answer: Cong hits out at PM on Karnataka sex scandal
New Delhi (PTI): Stepping up attack on the BJP over sexual abuse allegations against JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna in Karnataka, the Congress of Monday alleged that the Modi government has "always protected" those who commit crimes against women.
Former All India Mahila Congress chief Netta D'Souza said the BJP has only given slogans such as 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao', but the reality is there before the people of the country.
"Be it the brave women wrestlers or daughters like Ankita Bhandari, the prime minister did not try to provide justice to any daughter. The BJP government has always protected those who commit crimes against women," she alleged at a press conference at the AICC headquarters here.
"The women of the country are very angry on the issue of Prajwal Revanna. Women are forced to think that the real character of the person, who was under the protection of Modi ji inside Parliament for the last 5 years, has been revealed to the country," she said.
"If someone else had done the same thing then Modi ji would have been saying all over the country -- 'Look, we have caught the criminal to protect our daughters'," D'Souza said.
"But now when it comes to his favourite person, his attitude is in front of the entire country," she said.
While the Congress has been attacking the BJP over the allegations of sexual abuse against leaders of its ally JD(S), the BJP has blamed the Congress government in Karnataka for the "delayed" action against the accused and said it would push for the full might of law against the accused.
D'Souza said PM Modi had shared the stage with Prajwal Revanna, who is seeking re-election from Hassan Lok Sabha seat, and sought votes for him.
"If Modi is there, then it is possible for Prajwal Revanna to flee abroad. If Modi is there, then it was possible for Prajwal Revanna to sit in Parliament. But today Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Smriti Irani are silent," she said.
"Modi ji was saying that the vote given to Prajwal Revanna would strengthen him. Now the women of the country will give you an answer on '400 paar'," she said, referring to the BJP's election slogan.
Prajwal and his father H D Revanna were booked by police on Sunday on charges of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation based on a complaint from a woman who worked in their household.
Prajwal is the grandson of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and a nephew of Karnataka's former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy.
Faced with unrelenting attacks from the Congress and other political parties, the JD(S), an ally of the BJP, has suspended Prajwal.
Karnataka JD(S) MLA H D Revanna was arrested by the Special Investigation Team on Saturday in a kidnapping case linked to sexual abuse allegations against his son Prajwal soon after a court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.
Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara on Sunday said a 'Blue Corner' notice has been issued and Interpol's help is being taken to bring Prajwal Revanna back to India.
