K'taka: Congress protests against BJP poaching

Bangalore,Oct 20: Amid speculation that the BJP was trying to lure Congress legislator SV Ramachandra, many Congress MLAs staged a protest outside the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's official residence on late Tuesday, Oct 19.

The demonstration was led by Opposition leaders Siddaramaiah, senior leaders D K Shivakumar and R V Deshpande, several legislators and cadres.

'The ruling BJP in Karnataka is the most shameful party in the country. In the name of 'operation kamal' (lotus), it is indulging in horse-trading to buy our legislators. We will not allow this kind of worst corruption to go on,' Siddaramaiah told reporters.

Siddaramaiah, also cautioned BJP that his partymen would resort to statewide protests if the saffron party continued its "horse trading".

The Congress also condemned the BJP for forcing Channapatna legislator MC Ashwath to resign from the assembly on Friday, Oct 15 after ensuring his absence during the crucial second trust vote and influencing independent legislator Varthur Prakash in voting in favour of the confidence motion.

OneIndia News