Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy Wednesday released another set of audio tapes that are purportedly a continuation of the conversation between state BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa, Devadurga’s BJP MLA Shivangouda Naik, and the son of JD(S) MLA from Gurmitkal, Naganagouda Kandakur.
This is the second set of tapes allegedly involving the three. The first purportedly had the BJP leaders attempting to coax Naganagouda’s son, Sharanagouda Kandakur, to get his father to resign as part of the BJP’s efforts to topple the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in the state.
Kumaraswamy released the new tapes, which span for over 80 minutes, after the opposition BJP alleged that the JD(S) had only released select portions of the conversation, which allegedly took place at an inspection bungalow in Devadurga.
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More horse-trading in new tapes
In the fresh tapes, the BJP MLA Shivanagouda Naik is purportedly heard telling Sharanagouda that he would be paid Rs 20 crore and an additional Rs 2.5 crore if he travels to Mumbai to join other rebel ruling party MLAs, and also convince his father to shift to the BJP.
The 80-minute tape also purportedly has the voice of Preetham Gowda, the first BJP legislator in the JD(S) fiefdom of the Old Mysuru region. A voice, believed to be Preetham’s, is heard claiming that JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda’s “wicket would fall soon’’, and that Kumaraswamy too has not been keeping in good health.
This, the voice adds, would lead to the end of the JD(S).
Yeddyurappa is also heard speaking about Speaker Ramesh Kumar and how he would accept the resignations of the rebel MLAs. Unlike the tapes released earlier, however, there is no mention of the Speaker having allegedly been paid over Rs 50 crore.
‘Rs 20 crore for every defecting MLA’
The fresh tapes contain a rather long conversation, allegedly between the three BJP leaders, on how much “hard cash” should be handed over to Sharanagouda to ensure his father resigns.
One can hear calls being made, purportedly to B.Y. Vijayendra, Yeddyurappa’s second son, who apparently has been “taking care of the money matters” of the rebel MLAs lodged in a hotel in Mumbai.
Unable to connect to Vijayendra, Preetham Gowda is purportedly heard saying that Yeddyurappa’s son is in charge of the money transactions and that all the other MLAs holed up in Mumbai were paid Rs 20 crore each.
At this point, Shivangouda Naik intervenes and purportedly says that Sharanagouda will be offered more money as his family is economically poor. He purportedly adds here that an additional Rs 2.5 crore can be given to Sharanagouda and that the cash can be handed over to him at his residence by the following evening.
“There is a Marwadi in Raichur,” Naik is heard saying. “You can take your delivery from there (Raichur) or I can get it handed over to you wherever you want.”
At another point, Naik is heard saying, “The party (BJP) will give you a bright future. Sahebru (Yeddyurappa) is giving his word. It is his commitment.”
“The financial commitment will be given by his son,” Naik adds. “If there is disagreement over the figure between you and Vijayendra or it does not tally, we will make good that difference. It will be delivered at your door.’’
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Sting conducted by JD(S): Yeddyurappa
BJP leader Yeddyurappa had first denied that he had met Sharanagouda, but later alleged that the CM had sent his JD(S) colleague to conduct a sting on the BJP.
On its part, the JD(S) said it decided to release the entire tapes to counter the BJP’s attack that Yeddyurappa’s voice had been altered, and that only selected parts of the conversation were released.
Kumaraswamy had Tuesday ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe after an upset Speaker Ramesh Kumar sought an investigation.
The Speaker held a meeting in his chambers with Kumaraswamy and Yeddyurappa Wednesday morning to resolve the issue. But it resulted in a stalemate.
This is rubbish. We the Citizen of India believed that, atleast MODI Govt will change India and destroy the black money. But, here still it is floating at his own party itself.
Modiji, we lost our hopes/trust on you and couldn’t cover loop hole within your own party itself. Please take necessary action and do good for Citizens of India.
By EOD, we the Citizen of India, ITian’s and middle class people are still suffering even after paying TAX honestly.
One thing I want know, where are our TAXed paid amount going through. I believe it is still not well utilised for INDIA’s Infrastructure.
Should BSY succeed, it will bring a terrible odour to his party. Demolish its anti corruption plank completely.