Karnataka Assembly Polls: Karnataka CM Bommai alleges Congress chief Shivakumar of luring BJP MLAs

In what can be seen as a serious allegation by a seasoned politician against a politician of nearly the same stature, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday charged State Congress chief DK Shivakumar for luring BJP MLAs offering them tickets in constituencies.

The chief minister said that the Congress chief is luring BJP MLAs in places where the grand old party is yet to announce its candidates for Assembly polls, scheduled to be held in May.

The Chief Minister also said that the BJP's first list of candidates is likely to be announced in the first week of April.

"KPCC President DK Shivakumar since the last two to three days has been making phone calls to our MLAs in 100 constituencies where they are yet to announce candidates. He is stating that if you (BJP MLAs) come (to Congress), we will give you the ticket," Bommai alleged.

Speaking to reporters in Belagavi, he said, "Congress leaders are frustrated, they don't have proper candidates at all, so he (Shivakumar) is calling our party people. This shows that as a matter of fact, the Congress party is bankrupt."

The Congress announced its first list of 124 candidates on March 25 and is yet to announce tickets for 100 seats. Karnataka has a total of 224 assembly segments.

Both the Congress and the BJP have set a target of winning 150 seats.

(With inputs from PTI)