Shobha hits out at Congress for blaming BJP

BJP leader and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje on Sunday attacked the Congress for accusing the BJP of trying to destabilise the coalition government in the state.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Karandlaje said that the Congress itself was grappling with infighting, but was instead trying to put the blame on the BJP for the “instability” in the government.

Karandlaje was referring to the recent feud within the Congress involving the powerful Jarkiholi brothers’ camp and Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar’s camp.

Reacting to Shivakumar’s remarks that he was not “naive” and that he had come to Bengaluru to be in politics, Karandlaje said, “Nobody who comes to Bengaluru to be in politics is naive. Yeddyurappa has been in politics for the last 40 years. The Congress, which is facing infighting, is trying to pin the blame on the BJP. This is nothing but a defeatist attitude. If you (Congress) have the guts, then save your minister, but don’t blame the BJP.”

Cong stands by DKS

The state Congress leaders, however, maintained that the BJP was doing everything in its capacity to topple the government.

“The BJP is trying to destabilise the coalition government in Karnataka by foisting false cases on its political opponents. The Congress stands by Shivakumar,” said KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara too seconded Rao. “The central government is misusing the central agencies to create problems for not just Shivakumar, but also opposition party leaders across the country. The BJP is unable to digest the fact that the coalition government is performing well. People are keeping a close watch on these developments - they will give a fitting reply to the BJP during the Lok Sabha elections,” he said.