Shobha criticises Congress for teaming up with JD(S)

BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje on Monday said that Karnataka Congress is fake and has lost power in the state, criticising it for joining hands with the JD(S) to form the government.

In a press conference, here, Karandlaje said, "The BJP never tried to lure either the JD(S) or the Congress MLAs to form the government. We only urged them to extend support if they wish. But the Congress leaders made baseless allegations and released fake CDs.”

Describing MLC V S Ugrappa as Congress joker, Karandlaje said, "MLA Shivaram Hebbar from Yellapur unveiled the Congress’ real face by denying that the voice in the audio clipping, released by the Congress leader, is not of his wife."

The Congress leaders had released an audio clipping of a call, supposedly made by a BJP leader to Hebbar's wife, offering Rs 15 crore and a Cabinet rank position to Hebbar, if he supported the BJP in the floor test.

Karandlaje accused All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Rahul Gandhi and others of producing fake CDs to defame the BJP. "There should be an investigation in this regard," she demanded.

Misuse of EVMs

Suspecting irregularities in the process of the Assembly election for the Babaleshwar segment, Karandlaje said, "BJP candidate Vijugouda Patil, who has been defeated, has submitted a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on the day of polling, alleging misuse of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The BJP will also file a complaint in this regard."

"The Congress has misused the officials and had misplaced the EVMs. The eight VVPAT machines that were found in a makeshift shed at Managuli village in Basavanabagewadi taluk, of Vijayapura district, is an example for this. The ECI should conduct a thorough investigation in this regard," she demanded.

"The Congress-JD(S) government will not long-last and the BJP will come to power again in the state. With the BJP candidates winning in Hassan and Chamarajanagar districts, the party has been strengthened. BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa has started his state-wide tour to strengthen the party. He also convened a meeting with the defeated candidates in Bengaluru," she said.

BJP leader Bharati Shetty was present.