Audiogate: HDK blackmailing me, says Yeddyurappa

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa claimed that Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy was blackmailing him over the audiotape scandal.

Responding to media queries at an interaction Friday, Yeddyurappa said: “Rather than investigating the tapes, Kumaraswamy is blackmailing me. I have proof for it."

He was referring to the audiotape released by Kumaraswamy during in which Yeddyurappa is heard luring Gurmitkal JD(S) MLA Nadagouda Patil's son Sharanagouda to convince his father to resign.

The audiotape was released just ahead of the budget session of the state government earlier this year, creating a stir and setting the opposition BJP on the backfoot. Though the state had considered constituting a Special Investigation Team to probe the tapes, an order to that effect is yet awaited.

Government will fall
"Political situation of the state will change soon after Lok Sabha polls. BJP securing 22 of the 28 seats will deteriorate the already strained relationship between the coalition partners Congress and JD(S)," Yeddyurappa said.

Apart from the setback for the coalition in Lok Sabha polls, the government's fall will also be dependent on some disgruntled Congress legislators who will take a call on their political futures as soon as the polls are over, he said.

To a question on his political future, as BJP has decided not to field any candidates over the age of 75, he said he would accept the decision taken by the party high command.