Thu Nov 14 10:05:41 UTC 2024: ## Karnataka BJP & Congress Trade Accusations Over Alleged Bribery Attempt

**Bangalore, November 14, 2024:** A political storm is brewing in Karnataka as the ruling Congress and opposition BJP engage in a war of words over alleged attempts to destabilize the state government.

Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday challenged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to provide evidence for his claim that ₹50 crore was offered to each of 50 Congress MLAs to topple the government. Vijayendra accused the Chief Minister of losing faith in his own MLAs and resorting to baseless allegations. He demanded that Siddaramaiah reveal the source of his information or face accusations of making childish political statements.

Siddaramaiah, however, refused to engage with Vijayendra’s challenge, dismissing him as a newcomer to politics.

The Chief Minister had earlier alleged at an event in Mysuru that the BJP had attempted to buy off Congress MLAs with ₹50 crore each, but that the MLAs had resisted the offer. He reiterated his claim that the BJP is now retaliating by filing false cases against him.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who is also the KPCC president, corroborated the Chief Minister’s claims, alleging that the BJP indeed attempted to lure 50 Congress MLAs with ₹50 crore each as part of their alleged “Operation Lotus” strategy to destabilize ruling governments.

This latest clash comes after similar accusations by Siddaramaiah in March 2024, when six Congress MLAs in Himachal Pradesh cross-voted in favor of the BJP during Rajya Sabha elections.

The Directorate of Enforcement has been urged to investigate the Chief Minister’s allegations, which have been described as an insult to the democratic system and an attempt to depict MLAs as commodities for sale.

Read More