CM change speculation: Pralhad Joshi alleges 'horse trading' within ruling Cong in Karnataka
Hubballi (Karnataka), Jul 13 (PTI): With a Congress MLA claiming that the BJP was planning to topple the government in Karnataka and has prepared a list to target 55 legislators through central agencies, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday hit back, alleging that "horse trading" was on in the ruling party itself, amid CM change speculation.
Congress MLA from Hungund Vijayanand Kashappanavar on Saturday accused that the BJP has prepared a list of 55 Congress MLAs to threaten them with ED or CBI raids, if they don't join the saffron party.
Reacting to Kashappanavar's claims, Joshi said, "Has he (Kashappanavar) done anything (wrong) to come on the ED list? Those who have done wrong will come under ED's notice, not others. Those who are correct need not worry and they won't face any trouble. This claim about 55 MLAs is a conspiracy to divert issues."
Speaking to reporters here, he claimed that CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar had begun horse trading within the Congress MLAs to garner support.
"Siddaramaiah had recently said that Shivakumar doesn't have the support of many MLAs, so both of them, to garner support on their respective sides, are using their money power. Both of them who are ready to buy MLAs are strong there (in Congress), so there is no chance for us (BJP) to enter and we don't want to indulge in such things," Joshi said.
Further noting that the BJP's official stand is not to go against the mandate of the people, the union minister said the Congress has to complete a full five years as they have the mandate, but as they are unable to do so because of internal rifts, they are making MLAs to issue statements about BJP targeting 55 of their legislators. There is no meaning to it."
Stating that the ground is ready for horse trading within the Congress, he said, "Horses are ready to get traded in the market there (in Congress). There is competition within to buy..."
The Congress has got a huge mandate and they have to run the administration properly. "Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have indulged in a trade to lure MLAs on their side. The Congress high command has lost control, so they have reached a situation where whoever has the support of maximum MLAs will be the CM. So both of them are involved in trading," Joshi said.
"It is they--D K Shivakumar and Siddarmamaiah--who are involved in horse trading, let them do it. We (BJP) are nowhere involved or related to it. False allegations are being made against us," he added.
There has been speculation within political circles, especially within the ruling Congress, for some time now about the chief minister change later this year, citing power-sharing agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
However, Siddaramaiah has been asserting that he will complete a full five years term, even Shivakumar's supporters have said that their leader will become CM.
Pointing out that the BJP has never come to power directly in the state and that it had formed governments in the past by "purchasing" MLAs for money, Kashappanavar, speaking to reporters in Hungund on Saturday, said the saffron party always indulged in conspiracy to form a government.
The BJP was trying to topple the government. "You are seeing ED, CBI raids. Why are they happening? It is to fear our MLAs that, if they don't go to BJP, they will be raided. Such fear is there among all MLAs including me. Let them do anything, I'm ready for it," he said.
The BJP has prepared a list of 55 MLAs to threaten them with CBI raids, the Congress MLA alleged.
"The BJP agents have been sent to several (Congress) MLAs' houses already to threaten them that if they don't join their party, ED and CBI raids will be done against them, as there were illegal assets in their name. I won't fear such things," he added, citing recent raids on some Congress MLAs, and calling it "hate and conspiracy politics".
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Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
