K'taka: Cong, JD(S) alleges BJP for luring MLAs

Bangalore, Mar 4: Congress and JD(S) on Friday, Mar 4 slammed the BJP government in Karnataka for allegedly attempting to lure Opposition MLAs, terming it as "murder of democracy".

JDS MLA Karadi Sanganna resigned from the Legislative Assembly yesterday amid firm indications that he had been "netted" by the ruling party as part of its "Operation Lotus gameplan aimed at depleting the Opposition strength."

Seeking to move an adjournment motion under Rule 60 in the Assembly today, JD(S) leader HD Revanna flayed the government on the "Operation Lotus" issue and said there was a need to contain "defection". "People are now looking at MLAs with suspicion as if they can be bought over," he said.

An agitated CS Puttegowda of JD(S) said if the ruling party "lures MLAs with ministerial berths, plum postings in state-run Boards and funds to develop constituencies, there is no need for anyone to sit in the opposition."

Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah (Congress) termed "Operation Lotus" as "murder of democracy".

Speaker KG Bopaiah disallowed the adjournment motion to be moved as the notice had raised more than one issue.

In protest, JD(S) staged a dharna in the well of the House, the Congress staged a walk-out, leading to the House being adjourned for a few minutes.

When it reassembled, Revanna said JD(S) was ready to discuss the issues under any rule. The Speaker told him that he would consider it when the JDS leader brought up the subject again in another form. Bopaiah then took up the question hour.

PTI