I didn't take money, SPM swears by Lord Manjunatha

Congress’ Tumkur MP S P Muddahanumegowda (SPM) on Thursday swore on Lord Manjunatha of Dharmasthala while denying reports that he took money to withdraw his nomination in the recently held Lok Sabha polls.

He was responding to an audio clip in which two persons said to be the Congress workers from Tumakuru discussing how Muddahanumegowda and the party’s former MLA K N Rajanna - he, too, had threatened to rebel - had taken Rs 3 crore to withdraw their nomination and support Deve Gowda’s candidature.

After being denied the Congress ticket, Muddahanumegowda was livid and filed his nomination as the Congress’ candidate and as an independent. He later withdrew his nomination, clearing the path for JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda to contest from Tumkur.

“I haven’t taken a single paisa from anyone to withdraw my nomination. Lord Manjunatha himself will judge the allegations levelled against me. If I’m lying, let the Lord be my judge,” he told reporters after visiting the Manjunatheshwara temple.