From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Nov 4: Strongly reacting against the comments by state BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel that the doors of the Congress party will be closed shortly, KPCC chief wanted the ruling BJP leader to explain why his party ‘’purchased’’ 13 Congress and 3 JD(S) MLAs and formed the government in the most brazen manner.
Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru on Friday, November 4, Shivakumar said it was the BJP which started its infamous “operation Kamala” to buy MLAs from other parties. This nefarious operation has been extended to other States.
The KPCC chief asked state BJP chief and its leaders as to why they resorted to all unfair and unethical means to buy and lure MLAs to form the government through the backdoor.
“If the BJP leaders are so confident, they should have formed the government by winning on their own. Let them first worry about their party,’’ he said.
Shivakumar lashed out at BJP for criticizing the Congress party for collecting money from prospective candidates along with their applications for assembly seats and said the party is collecting money from its workers and ticket aspirants for strengthening the party and its activities.
“Let the BJP criticize and say what it wants. We are not bothered. We need the funds to run the party. We are collecting Rs 5,000 as application fee and Demand Drafts of Rs 1 lac or Rs 2 lacs from the applicants along with the application,” he said and wanted to know why BJP is worried about that.
Shivakumar asked Kateel and BJP leaders to explain if anybody has complained to them about the payment of fees. “Nobody has come and registered their complaints with me. We need the money to run the party. Unlike BJP, we don’t get money from Electoral Bonds. If anybody is not happy about the fees, they are free not to contest or even leave the party,’’ he said.
To a question on the suspicious death of BJP leader M P Renukacharya’s nephew, the KPCC Chief said he was really sorry that the death has occurred in mysterious circumstances. It is for the government to conduct an inquiry and find out the truth, he said offering his condolences to the bereaved family.