The Congress on Wednesday dared JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy to reveal the name of the Congress legislator who he claimed was involved in the lottery scam.
“Kumaraswamy should reveal the name of the MLC if he really has guts. He should also disclose how much money the MLC took from lottery mafia. It is not appropriate for a former chief minister to indulge in loose talk. It appears that the JD(S) is only indulging in politics of blackmail,” party MLC V S Ugrappa said at a news conference.
It is speculated that independent MLC, D U Mallikharjun, might be the person Kumaraswamy was referring to. It was also speculated that the MLC had tried to commit suicide and that he was hospitalised on Tuesday.
When contacted by this paper, Mallikharjun, who is a realtor, rubbished the charges. “It is completely baseless. I have no idea who and how my name was dragged into this issue. I am a successful businessman. God has given me everything I want. I do not have to make money selling illegal lottery. The amount of tax I pay in a month is perhaps much more than what the lottery mafia would earn in a year,” he said.
He said he had been on good terms with leaders of all political parties. “Somebody who could not digest my success might have done this mischief. I challenge, if anybody can prove I had any link with those involved in the lottery scam, I will immediately resign as MLC and face any investigation,” he said.He also denied he was admitted to hospital.
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