Karnataka election: Kumaraswamy makes shocking claim, says, "JDS MLAs are being offered Rs 100 crore each"

After emerging as the lead contender for the chief minister's post in Karnataka, H D Kumaraswamy has been picked as legislative party leader in a meeting of the JD(S) MLAs held in Bengaluru today. Addressing media persons later, Kumaraswamy alleged that BJP is trying to bribe his party's MLAs saying, "JDS MLAs are being offered Rs 100 crore each. Where is this black money coming from? They are supposedly the servers of poor people and they are offering money today. Where are the income tax officials?"

Kumaraswamy said that "BJP's Ashwamedha Yatra started in north has been stopped in Karnataka. This verdict is to stop the Ashwamedha Yatra."

 He alleged the BJP for encouraging horse-trading, he said, "Forget 'Operation Kamal' being successful, there are people, who are ready to leave BJP, and come with us. If you try to poach one from ours, we'll do the same and take double from you."

 He said, "I am also telling the Governor to not take any decision which encourages horse-trading," adding that they will meet the Governor once again along with state Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president (G Parameshwara).

 In Karnataka assembly election verdict yesterday, BJP bagged 104 seats, a gain of 64, while Congress could win 78, a loss of 44 seats, while the JD(S) secured 37 seats, down by three from its previous tally.

 The Congress, however, in a swift political manoeuvring reached out to JD(S) offering chief minister's position to H D Kumaraswamy to stop BJP. 

 Outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, after submitting his resignation, told reporters, "We have all together discussed and decided this.... This is the opinion of the All India Congress party. Congress will support JD(S) because there is a hung Assembly situation here as no party has been given clear majority by the people."

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Congress Leaders Siddaramaiah, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjuna Kharge along with JD(S) state Chief H D Kumaraswamy met Governor Vajubhai Vala and submitted a letter seeking an opportunity to form the government.

(With Agency Inputs)