'JD(S) will release tapes of BJP leaders at right time'

Minor Irrigation Minister C S Puttaraju said that the JD(S) has tapes of BJP leaders trying to lure party MLAs to destabilise the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in Karnataka and that it will be made public at an appropriate time.

Speaking to reporters after a review meeting in Belagavi on Monday, Puttaraju said the BJP, instead of playing the role of a constructive Opposition, has been making futile attempts to destabilise the coalition government and has been dreaming to coming to power.

The BJP has resorted to misadventures to topple the government. The people of Karnataka are wise and will teach the BJP a lesson and it would be witnessed during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the minister said.

On Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's statement about asking people to stage a "riot" against the BJP, Puttaraju said, "It has been misinterpreted and was aimed to mobilise party cadres to protest against the BJP".

Lake Conservation Authority

The minister said the Lake Conservation Authority has come into force in the state and the chief minister is the chairman.

Officials have been directed to identify the lakes that were on record and those which have gone missing.

All the encroachments, irrespective of the might of the encroachers, will be cleared by December, Puttaraju added.