Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 31: Terming the accusation made by former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, through a tweet in which he has accused BJP of indulging in horse-trading as false, former chief minister and state BJP president, B S Yeddyurappa, union minister, D V Sadananda Gowda and MP, Shobha Karandlaje, have grossly denied the allegations made therein.

Yeddyurappa claimed that none of the Congress dissidents are in touch with him or other BJP leaders. Shobha charged Siddaramaiah of indulging in blame game. D V Sadanand Gowda asked Siddaramaiah to reveal the names of donkeys, horses and elephants of his party which he has referred in his tweet.

Yeddyurappa, who stays put in New Delhi, denied claims of Operation Lotus in the state government. He said that none of the dissident leaders of Congress including Ramesh Jarkiholi are in contact with him. He said that formation of government at this stage is ruled out. Speaking to media persons on Sunday, Yeddyurappa termed as speculation the information that BJP leaders have held discussions with Ramesh Jarkiholi, who has been ousted from the state ministry. He said that his party has not held any discussions with disgruntled Congress leaders. He clarified that he wanted to meet party's national president, Amit Shah, but he is yet to return from Gujarat tour Therefore, he said he has been meeting senior leaders of the party to discuss with them about organizational issues of the party, preparation for Lok Sabha election, and farmers convention being held at Bengaluru shortly.

Shobha Karandlaje analysed that dissidence in Congress has become a big problem for that party after ministry reshuffle. She charged Siddaramaiah of being unable to quell the dissidence and hence trying to put blame on BJP. She said that Siddaramaiah, instead of accommodating people who worked for the party, has made his own supporters as ministers, thus giving rise to dissidence.

Sadananda Gowda, speaking to newspapers, wondered whether the Congress has any humans in it, going by the reference to horses, donkeys and elephants made by Siddaramaiah. He felt that being a senior leader, Siddaramaiah should know how to speak or communicate.