Bengaluru/New Delhi, Jun 3, DHNS : Sting operations by two news channels showing four MLAs reportedly discussing sale of votes for the Rajya Sabha polls created a flutter on Thursday.
The two national channels claimed that Chamundeshwari constituency MLA G T Devegowda, Basavakalyan MLA Mallikarjun Khuba (both JD-S), KJP MLA from Aland B R Patil and Kolar MLA Varthur Prakash (independent) discussed sale of votes for the elections scheduled on June 11.
Friday is the last date for withdrawal of nominations.
Though channels claimed that some of these MLAs demanded Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore to vote in favour of a Congress candidate, the audio was not clear.
The channels claimed that Congress and Janata Dal (S) candidates K C Ramamurthy and B M Farook, respectively, also discussed on camera about votes being sold.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has taken note of the sting operations and is likely to act after studying footage apparently showing Karnataka MLAs indulging in corrupt practices.
The poll panel is likely to seek a report from the Chief Election Officer of Karnataka, sources said in New Delhi.
EC officials discussed the matter at Nirvachan Sadan after television channels aired the footage.
The poll panel will take a call after studying all aspects, said a source.
The channels said that Khuba told their representatives, who posed themselves as negotiators for a candidate that he was ready to vote in favour of the Congress for Rs five crore. The JD(S) legislator also claims that he has a team of MLAs who can cross vote and just one or two crores will not do, the channels claimed. But the audio was not clear.
The channels mentioned Deve Gowda’s son-in-law Ram discussed the deal. During the conversations, Ram reportedly asks the representatives how much they can pay. When the representatives tell him not to worry about the sum, he asks whether they can pay Rs 10 crores.
Patil describes buying and selling of votes as a political match while discussing the elections. Varthur Prakash reportedly confides that it is not a problem to get money for Independent MLAs. All the politicians who appear on the sting operations have, however, denied the charges.
What they said
Ramamurthy, when contacted by this newspaper, said he was surprised about the claims made by the channels. “A reporter from a TV channel met me to take my reactions on the elections. All I said was that I have the support of the Congress and that would ensure my victory. I have no idea about the sting operation.”
Patil said: “None had approached me or come to me to talk about the money aspect. Of course, political leaders including chief minister had approached me seeking my support for their candidates. I will never stoop to the level of seeking money for my vote. I demand a judicial or a CBI probe into the TV programme.”
Deve Gowda said: “I am not involved in it. I will discuss it tomorrow. I will get all the details about the programme tomorrow.” While Varthur Prakash and Khuba were not available for comments, the JD (S) candidate Farook disconnected the phone