A seedy war between BJP and JD(S)
Both claim having evidence to damage the other
Audio and video CDs have gained importance in political developments in the recent years.
On Saturday, it was the turn of the ruling BJP to release an audio CD in which JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy was heard trying to lure BJP MLA Appachu Ranjan to abstain from voting on October 11.
The CD was played on a laptop at a press conference addressed by BJP State President K S Eshwarappa on Saturday. However, the audio quality was poor.
In the CD, the voice which resembled that of Kumaraswamy was heard saying “you do not worry... All you should do is to keep off from the House when vote of confidence motion is moved...” Eshwarappa said the audio CD clearly indicated the conspiracy of the Opposition parties to destabilise the government. Deve Gowda and his children were experts in orchestrating conspiracy. They were experts in black magic also. But any such effort would fail to destabilise the government, he added.
Asked whether the BJP will complain to the Governor about the CD, Eshwarappa said his priority was to see that his party wins majority in the Assembly. He would take up complaining the Governor later.
Appachchu Ranjan told media that Kumaraswamy contacted him over phone and assured him of a Cabinet berth in the alternative government. “He assured me of a Cabinet berth and said I should not worry,” he said.
Eshwarappa alleged that mining businessmen who suffered loss following the State Government’s ban on export of iron ore had been funding the opposition parties to destabilise the government. The mine owners’ money was being utilised to lure MLAs, he alleged.
He exuded confidence that all rebel MLAs would return to Bangalore and support the BJP in the motion. They should realise that five MLAs lost their political career for rebellion in a similar situation in 1999, Eshwarappa said. Reacting to the allegation, JD (S) MLA H D Revanna said that if need arises, his party too would release CDs.
