Yeddyurappa hits back at Kumaraswamy over toppling bid charge

Hitting back at Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy for accusing the BJP of attempting to bribe one of his party MLAs, the party's state chief B S Yeddyurappa Wednesday asked him to name those involved.

If the Chief Minister did not give out the names before levelling such allegations, it would be seen as though he was suspecting his own party MLAs, Yeddyurappa said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the Chief Minister was making allegations against the BJP "out of desperation."

"We have said we are not involved in such things...18-20 Congress-JD(S) MLAs are disgruntled, take them into confidence and work unitedly towards the development of the state...

Still, 70 per cent of the state has not received any rains, there is severe drought, let's work together, as opposition we will also cooperate, is what we have said," he added.

"Unnecessarily by saying that someone from BJP offered Rs 10 crore to someone in JD(S), why are you bringing down the respect of your own members. What is the benefit from it?" Yeddyurappa asked.

Addressing a public meeting at a village in Ramanagara on Tuesday, Kumaraswamy had said relentless efforts have been made to pull down the government and he knew who have been behind it.

To back his claim, the chief minister said one of the JD(S) MLAs had received a call from a BJP leader on Monday, who said the government's fall was imminent and if he agreed (to switch sides), he would dispatch Rs 10 crore at his location.

Kumaraswamy, who did not reveal any names, said the BJP leader had also claimed that 10 MLAs from the ruling coalition were with them, and the government was going to fall.

After the rout in the Lok Sabha polls, the ruling coalition fears an onslaught by the BJP to destabilise the government by taking advantage of the simmering discontent.

The BJP and Yeddyurappa had earlier predicted the collapse of the coalition after the LS poll results, claiming that 20 odd Congress MLAs were unhappy and may take "a decision" anytime.

However, subsequently allaying fears that BJP was trying to weaken the JD(S)-Congress government in Karnataka, Yeddyurappa had said central leaders have asked the state unit not to indulge in any activity to "destabilise" the H D Kumaraswamy ministry.