With 2019 seeing a repeat of the infamous 2008 "Operation Kamala" that ensured BS Yeddyurappa's stable government, we bring a breakdown of exactly what the operation is.
H D Kote Congress MLA Anil Chikkamadu accused BJP leaders of trying to lure him as part of ‘Operation Lotus,’ in an effort to topple the Congress-JD(S) coalition government.
Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar, who was the first to disclose the whereabouts of the three Congress MLAs, has been tasked with coaxing the trio into changing their minds and bringing them back to the state.
Amidst speculation that the BJP isindulging inOperation Lotus, more than 90 saffronparty MLAs are staying in a five-star hotel at Gurugram in Haryana.
Amid allegations of the BJP trying to poach the MLAs of the ruling coalition in Karnataka, former prime minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda asserted that there was no threat to the government headed by his son H D Kumaraswamy.
Dismissing any threat to the Congress-JDS dispensation in the state aftertwo MLAs withdrew their support, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said his government was stable and he was "totally relaxed".
Brushing aside any threat to the H D Kumaraswamy-led Karnataka dispensation after two MLAs withdrew support, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the coalition government would continue despite the BJP's "ugly and dirty" horse-trading attempts.
At least four Congress ministers offered to step down if that would help keep the coalition with the JD(S) intact, signifying an increased level of panic over the BJP’s alleged attempts to stage a post-Sankranti coup.
Two Karnataka legislators announced thewithdrawal of their support to the Congress-JD(S) coalition.
Independent H Nagesh, who represents the Mulbagal constituency and Karnataka Prajnavantha Janata Paksha’s (KPJP) Ranebennur legislator R Shankar, a former minister in the H D Kumaraswamy Cabinet, have written to Governor Vajubhai R Vala about their decision to withdraw support to the Congress-JD(S) coalition.
Nagesh has announced that he will support the BJP, whereas Shankar has merely stated that he had withdrawn his support from the ruling alliance.
A former minister and present MLA from Mysuru region said that former minister B S Yeddyurappa is highly confident of forming the BJP government in the state, but he has his own doubts.
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Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah takes a jibe at PM Narendra Modi over BJP MLAs holed up in a hotel. “You say you are India’s chowkidar. But now, you’ve become the chowkidar of hotel rooms where your MLAs are locked up,” Siddaramaiah mocked Modi in a tweet.
CM HD Kumaraswamy closeted with Congress minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan amid reports that the Congress-JD(S) coalition may take its legislators to a resort. In 2006, Khan, who was with the JD(S) then, had famously driven a bus full of legislators to a resort many years ago.
The BJP would stake claim to power in Karnataka if the Congress-JDS coalition government falls, Union minister D V Sadananda Gowda said here on Tuesday, hours after two Independent legislators in the state withdrew support from the state government.
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It was a different battlefield a 'relaxed' Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy watched amid the political crisis in Karnataka ahead of Lok Sabha polls. Read here
Forests and Environment Minister Satish Jarkiholi admitted on Tuesday three to four MLAs in the Congress were not happy with the party, but they crossing over to the Opposition BJP would not have any bearing on the coalition government. Read here
MP V S Ugrappa said on Tuesday that three Congress MLAs of the district were unreachable for the last two days. Read here
Even as the BJP remained hopeful and upbeat about successfully pulling off the ‘Sankranti coup,’ installing its government in Karnataka, the coalition partners, especially the JD(S), took an aggressive stance by asserting that it was well-poised for counterstroke.
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BJP is said to be attempting Operation Kamala 2.0 currently, this time to bring down the Congress-JD(S) coalitiongovernment.
Here is all you want to know about Operation Kamala 2.0.
The state Congress unit, which is struggling to fight back the post-Sankaranticoup against the Congress-JD(S) government, has reportedly shortlisted the 12 MLAs who are in touch with BJP. News 9 reports thatVijayanagara(Hospet) MLA Anand Singh is also named in the list.
Operation Kamala (or Operation Lotus) was the name given to the infamous, but successful, attempt of the BJP to engineer the defection of opposition legislators to ensure stability of the BS Yeddyurappa government in 2008. BJP is said to beattempting Operation Kamala 2.0 currently, this time to bring down the Congress-JD(S) coalition government.
A former minister and present MLA from Mysuru region told DH that BJP state president and former CM B S Yeddyurappa is highly confident of forming a BJP government in the state, though he has his own doubts.
Independent H Nagesh, who represents the Mulbagal constituency and Karnataka Prajnavantha Janata Paksha’s (KPJP) Ranebennur legislator R Shankar, a former minister in the H D Kumaraswamy Cabinet, have written to Governor Vajubhai R Vala about their decision to withdraw support to the Congress-JD(S) coalition.
Amid allegations of the BJP trying to poach the MLAs of the ruling coalition in Karnataka, former prime minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Tuesday asserted that there was no threat to the government headed by his son H D Kumaraswamy.
The BJP would stake claim to power in Karnataka if the Congress-JDS coalition government falls, Union minister D V Sadananda Gowda said on Tuesday, hours after two Independent legislators in the state withdrew support from the seven-month-old Kumaraswamy dispensation.
Congress sources on Wednesday confirmed that former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi and Chincholi MLA Umesh Jadhav have committed to jump ship and join the BJP amidst the 'Operation Kamala 2.0' speculations.
As a countermeasure, at least four BJP legislators are in touch with the Congress-JD(S), they claimed.
Meanwhile, Congress is also trying to confirm the speculation that four of its MLAs are lodged in Goa. This is beyond the three who are reportedly in Mumbai.
Caught on the back foot, the Congress has now resolved to drive a hard bargain with the disgruntled MLAs. The party which has been covertly negotiating with the MLAs is now openly sending out feelers to them.
For over two decades now, the Jarkiholi family has ruled the roost in Belagavi, the sugar bowl of Karnataka. The five brothers, sons of rags-to-riches businessman Laxmanrao Jarkiholi, have grown to become one of Karnataka’s most powerful political families.
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Hagaribommanahalli MLA Bheema Nayak and Raichur Rural MLA Basangouda Daddal on Wednesday said that they were very much in the Congress.
While it is widely believed that Operation Kamala has been used extensively to strengthen the BJP and weaken the Congress-JD(S) coalition in the state, DH brings you the spate of statements made by politicians/ parties. Read more
Congress’ Bellary legislator B Nagendra arrived in Bengaluru on Thursday morning in connection with a court case. He was incommunicado till Wednesday night.
A day after the Congress claimed that the coalition partners had foiled the BJP's attempted coup to destabilise the government, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said that the saffron party's purported "revolution" had turned out to be a mere "illusion".
Legislators are expected to start arriving by 3 pm. A section of disgruntled legislators is likely to stay away from the CLP.
The CLP will also serve as a platform for legislators to air their grievances.Top state leaders including former chief minister Siddaramaiah, DeputyCM G Parameshwara and KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao will be present.
True colours of Cong will be out at CLP meet: BSY
Natural for us to add fuel to fire, says C T Ravi
BJP MLAs likely to stay in hotel for few more days
Coalition govt will complete full term: K C Venugopal
Purported revolution turned out to be illusion: HDK
Operation Kamala a failed attempt: Siddaramaiah
If BJP is strong, why are MLAs in Gurugram, asks Kharge
Bellary MLA B Nagendra spung a surprise by seeking deferment of a case on Belekeri Port illegal iron export scam being heard by a special court, in which he is an accused. The court granted his plea.
On Thursday Nagendra, one among the disgruntled MLAs in the Congress, had said he may not be able to attend the CLP as he will have to be in court.
The BJP is said to have shifted a section of its MLAs, huddled at the ITC Grand Bharat resort in Gurugram, to Lemon Tree, another resort nearby.
“All 80 MLAs will attend the CLP meet. There is no trouble for the government. The coalition is safe and secure,” says KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao.
“He (Umesh Jadhav) told me he will stay in the Congress. I’m confident he will not join the BJP. He has no future in the BJP,” Khandre says.
Senior Congress leaders are in touch with former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, claims KPCC working president Eshwar Khandre. “Ramesh has said he will attend the CLP meet.”
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has arrived for the meet.
BDA chairperson and Yeshwanthpur MLA ST Somashekhar has come.
Vijayanagar MLA Anand Singh and Hanur MLA Narendra arrived for CLP meet.
MLAs Byrathi Suresh, Akhanda Srinivas Murthy and Malur MLA Nanjegowda are present at the venue.
Disgruntled MLA Shivaram Hebbar arrives along with Anil Chikmadu, Abbayya Prasad and Shrimanth Patil.
Former ministers M Krishnappa and Shamanur Shivashankarappa has come.
MLAs Sowmya Reddy, Venkataramanappa and Narayanaswamy are also present.
MLA Yathindra and Raghavendra Hitnal are present for the CLP meeting.
Agriculture Minister NH Shivashankara Reddy has come.
Disgruntled MLA Prathapgouda Patil arrives.
No sign of Ramesh Jarkiholi yet.
Raichur Rural MLA Basavaraj Daddal andMinister E Tukaramhas come.
Forest Minister Satish Jarkiholi, Kaneesa Fatima, Muniratna, Byrathi Basavaraj has arrive.
Congress MP BK Hariprasad defends his comments on BJP chief Amit Shah’s health. “BJP hasn’t descended from heaven,” he said over the BJP taking exception.
MLAs Anand Nyamagouda, Huligeri, BK Sangamesh, Anjali Nimbalkar arrive; disgruntled MLA Bheema Naik arrives with Health Minister Shivanand Patil.
MY Patil, PT Parameshwar Naik and Rahim Khan arrive.
BJP State President B S Yeddyurappa monitoring the developments in the CLP from his Dollar's colony residence in Bengaluru, while a large section of party legislators are huddled in resorts in Haryana
Urban Development Minister UT Khader arrives; disgruntled legislators Ramesh Jarkiholi, Umesh Jadhav, Mahesh Kumathalli, B Nagendra yet to arrive at the CLP
Karnataka Revenue Minister RV Deshpande arrives.
As many as 55 Congress legislators of total 80 arrive for CLP meeting being held at Vidhana Soudha. The meeting is likely to go on for one more hour.
Chikkaballapur MLA Sudhakar, who has been miffed over the CM keeping his appointment as KSPCB chief pending, arrives.
CLP leader Siddaramaiah arrives.
Disgruntled MLA JN Ganesh just arrived with MLA Rajegowda.Three MLAs - BC Patil, Narayanrao and Roopa Shashidhar - are expected to come anytime now.
HK Patil arrives at CLP meet.
Disgruntled MLA BC Patil, whose daughter entered wedlock today, arrives for the CLP meet; Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumtahalli are not going to attend, says senior Congress leader Ashok Pattan.
MLA Roopa Shashidhar arrives at CLP meet,Basava Kalyan MLA Narayanrao is on the way due to a delayed flight.
CLP meet:
Strength - 79 (excluding Speaker)
In Attendance - 74
On the way - 1
Not coming - 4
Congress MLAs and MPs to head to Eagleton Resort in Bidadi tonight
The absentee MLAs were: Ramesh Jarkiholi, who was dropped as minister in the recent cabinet rejig and is said to be extremely unhappy over it, B Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumatahalli.
According to sources, at least eight Congress MLAs have committed to BJP. Hence,Congress has decided to keep its flock together in a resort.
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Friday that he is in regular touch with the four Congress MLAs who were absent during the Congress Legislative Party meeting held earlier in the day.
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BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa remained closeted at his Dollar’s Colony residence in Bengaluru to witness what is being dubbed as his party’s well-crafted strategy to reduce the coalition government to a minority.
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Karnataka’s political crisis worsened on Friday when a jittery Congress shifted its legislators to a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru to keep a leash on a disgruntled bunch who may have swerved towards the BJP.
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BJP State President B S Yeddyurappa has asked all the party MLAs to return to Karnataka
All MLAs at Delhi international airport to catch the flight. BJP top brass told the MLAs to go to their respective constituencies. The party doesn't have any plan to take their MLAs to resort any more.
Amidst speculation of Operation Lotus, the BJP on Saturdaysuddenly changed its plan by asking its MLAs, who are staying in luxury hotels in Gurugram, go to their respective constituencies immediately.
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The Congress and JD(S) need not fear as the BJP will not try to destabilize their coalition government, BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa said on Saturday.
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The BJP on Saturday took potshots at the Congress for shifting their legislators to the Eagleton Resort in Bidadi near Bengaluru, which owes the government Rs 982 crore for allegedly encroaching upon government land.
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Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar has moved three Ballari MLAs - Anand Singh, Bheema Naik and JN Ganesh - out of the Bidadi resort. These three are believed to have been contacted by the BJP.
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy lashed out at the BJP offering bribes to the JD(S) and Congress MLAs on Saturday. He was addressing the gathering at the Trinamool Congress' (TMC) mega opposition rally in Kolkata.
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Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Statistics and Programme Implementation D V Sadananda Gowda alleged that there is a conspiracy by former CM Siddaramaiah in attempting to destabilise the coalition government in Karnataka.
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Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah on Saturday issued show-cause notices to former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi and his acolyte Mahesh Kumatahalli, seeking their “immediate explanation” for skipping the CLP meet that was held Friday.
Siddaramaiah signed the notices late Saturday night.
“Your behaviour shows that you have decided, for personal gains and against the mandate of the people and interests of the party, to quit membership of the Indian National Congress. You are to immediately explain why we should not act against you as per the 10th schedule of the Constitution,” the notice addressed to Ramesh Jarkiholi states.
They have been asked to return to their constituencies to address drought-related issues as a counter to a similar diktat the BJP has issued to its legislators.
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The Congress's attempts to keep its flock together has backfired, with two of its MLAs coming to blows in the wee hours of Sunday. Vijayanagar MLA Anand Singh, who spilt the beans about his fellow legislators' plans to jump ship to the BJP, is now paying a heavy price for his honesty.
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Former minister and BJP MLA R Ashoka on Sunday charged that Congress MLA Anand Singh (Vijayanagar) had been fatally attacked at the Eagleton resort and that the Congress was scrambling to "cover up" the entire incident.
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The Congress in Karnataka on Sunday issued notices to its four MLAs seeking an explanation from them for their absence at the Legislature Party meeting, asking why no action should be taken against them under the anti-defection law.
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Congress MLA Anand Singh’s wife Lakshmi Singh has said that she will initiate legal action against Kampli MLA J N Ganesh, if at all he has attacked her husband.
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BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa has sought Governor Vajubhai Vala and Legislative Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to intervene and take stock of the ongoing political developments in the state.
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The Congress has finally admitted to the fact there was indeed a brawl between its Ballari MLAs Anand Singh, J N Ganesh and Bheema Naik.
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Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah has called for another CLP meeting on Monday at 11.00 am, to take stock of yesterday's fight in the resort, and draw up counter strategies against the BJP's attempts to topple the coalition government.
According to Dr N Umesh, medical superintendent of the hospital, the MLA is doing fine. “Since it a trauma injury, he will have to stay in the hospital for at least 48 hours. He has to undergo an eye test after which, doctors will take a call on his discharge,” added Dr Umesh. Anand Singh might get discharged after 3 pm.
The MLAs are asked to head to the Mutt.
Shivakumara Swami, the head pontiff of five-centuries-old Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru passed away at 11.44 am on Monday, four sources confirmed to Deccan Herald.
TheCongress has suspended its Kampli legislator JN Ganesh from the party following his drunken brawl with fellow legislator Anand Singh.
An embarrassed Congress has suspended its Kampli legislator JN Ganesh from the party following his drunken brawl with fellow legislator Anand Singh.
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A case of attempt to murder was registered Monday against Congress MLA J N Ganesh in connection with the alleged brawl with lawmaker colleague Anand Singh at a resort.
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The Congress, especially, has to prove that a coalition government can work. The Congress-JD(S) arithmetic may look good on paper for the Lok Sabha polls, but it is time they got serious about governance and earned people’s trust.
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Karnataka is crucial to the political fortunes of the BJP south of the Vindhyas. The Congress-JD (S) alliance government is already beginning to feel the multiple pressure points that could threaten its longevity.
The Karnataka Congress, already in an embarrassing spot after its MLAs came to blows a few days ago, found itself in another awkward situation on Tuesday.
The BJP intends to revive its “Operation Kamala” (of pouching MLAs) in a day or two.
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