CD row over MLC seat: Ready for any probe, says Kumaraswamy

Bangalore, July 7: JDS leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who is in the eye of a storm over an audio CD about him purportedly discussing about cash-for-seat with the supporters of an MLC seat aspirant, today said he is open to any kind of inquiry on the matter.

"I have already said - no financial transaction has taken place; any kind of inquiry can be held," Kumaraswamy told reporters here, as he remained unfazed over the attacks on him from the Congress, BJP and other quarters over the CD.

He said "....I have already given detailed clarification on the issue without any fear or hesitation. I have talked about the standard of today's politics (in the CD)." "....if anyone wants let them raise the issue in the Assembly (which is now holding its session), I'm ready for the discussion," he said.

Kumaraswamy is caught in a controversy after Saturday's release of an audio CD about him purportedly telling the supporters of MLC seat aspirant Vijugowda Patil, a JDS leader from Bijapur district, about the demand for money from his party MLAs.

In the CD whose clips were played on Kannada TV channels, Kumaraswamy was purportedly heard telling the supporters of Patil, "Each MLA (of JDS) is asking for one crore. They are saying you make anybody the MLC..."

At another point, Kumaraswamy was heard saying "40 people (JDS MLAs) are asking for 40 crore... This is my fate."

PTI