<p>A video footage in which former minister B Sreeramulu purportedly claimed to have spent Rs 200 crore for forming the first ever BJP government in the south in Karnataka has surfaced, raising a political storm with opposition Congress and JDS demanding a probe into the issue.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In the footage, telecast by regional news channels, Sreeramulu, who has since quit the BJP, is seen conversing with a Mutt head claiming he had also spent Rs 6-10 crore for six months in a row to strengthen BJP party allegedly on then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa's request.<br /><br />BJP leaders were unavailable for comment, but Sreeramulu, a close associate of mining barons and Bellary brothers G Janardhana Reddy and G Karunakara Reddy, denied discussing money with the pontiff.<br /><br />"I visited the swamiji to extend an invitation. Can I discuss money with the pontiff?" said Sreeramulu, who launched a two-day fast in Gadag demanding replies from the BJP government on the reasons for backwardness of north Karnataka region.<br /><br />However, Opposition leaders pressed for a CBI inquiry into the issue.<br /><br />State JDS President H D Kumaraswamy demanded CBI probe and accused Yeddyurappa of encouraging illegal mining by accepting money from Bellary mining barons.<br /><br />Making a similar demand, veteran Congress leader C K Jaffer Sherif said the court and people should take note of the conversation and act accordingly.<br /><br />Union Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily said the video footage had exposed BJP's "corruption" and demanded a probe into the issue.<br /><br />Former KPCC President R V Deshpande also demanded that Sreeramulu throw light on the money trail. </p>
<p>A video footage in which former minister B Sreeramulu purportedly claimed to have spent Rs 200 crore for forming the first ever BJP government in the south in Karnataka has surfaced, raising a political storm with opposition Congress and JDS demanding a probe into the issue.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In the footage, telecast by regional news channels, Sreeramulu, who has since quit the BJP, is seen conversing with a Mutt head claiming he had also spent Rs 6-10 crore for six months in a row to strengthen BJP party allegedly on then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa's request.<br /><br />BJP leaders were unavailable for comment, but Sreeramulu, a close associate of mining barons and Bellary brothers G Janardhana Reddy and G Karunakara Reddy, denied discussing money with the pontiff.<br /><br />"I visited the swamiji to extend an invitation. Can I discuss money with the pontiff?" said Sreeramulu, who launched a two-day fast in Gadag demanding replies from the BJP government on the reasons for backwardness of north Karnataka region.<br /><br />However, Opposition leaders pressed for a CBI inquiry into the issue.<br /><br />State JDS President H D Kumaraswamy demanded CBI probe and accused Yeddyurappa of encouraging illegal mining by accepting money from Bellary mining barons.<br /><br />Making a similar demand, veteran Congress leader C K Jaffer Sherif said the court and people should take note of the conversation and act accordingly.<br /><br />Union Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily said the video footage had exposed BJP's "corruption" and demanded a probe into the issue.<br /><br />Former KPCC President R V Deshpande also demanded that Sreeramulu throw light on the money trail. </p>