BJP MLA Suresh Kumar on Tuesday charged that the decision to order the SIT probe was predetermined (by the government). He, however, got himself into a sticky situation in doing so.

During a discussion in the Legislative Assembly on the audio gate scandal and the nature of probe to be ordered, Kumar said that the BJP had learnt about the government’s strategy much ahead of the Speaker’s ruling on Monday.

“When BJP MLA Rajesh Naik (Bantwal) was travelling to Mangaluru on a flight on Sunday, an MLC sitting next to him had revealed that the government had decided to order an SIT probe into the audio gate controversy.”

Even before Suresh Kumar could complete his sentence, JD(S) MLA Srinivas Gowda took an exception to the same, by charging that the MLA was spinning “concocted tales” on the floor of the House.

Suresh Kumar, however, became tongue-tied when Legislative Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar interjected, asking him if he was indirectly inferring that he (Speaker) too was hand-in-glove with the government in the decision-making process.

“What are you trying to infer? Either the MLC has made a random prediction, or he must be close to the chief minister for being privy to such a decision. But by referring to it, are you (Kumar) indicating that it is a pointer to me? If such is the case, then it is more derogatory than the Rs 50-crore bribe charge against me. You have to be careful in what you are trying to establish.”

The BJP MLA quickly changed tact. “Definitely not. This is not an allegation against you. I am just saying that the decision to order an SIT probe was predetermined by the government,” he added.