Congress says Amit Shah confirmed that BJP attempted to buy their MLAs

“What is the BJP preaching? The BJP President Amit Shah, in his first press conference after the Karnataka elections, stated that MLAs were in the hotel, that is why nothing could happen. Is this his way of accepting that they were going to poach the Congress and JD(S) MLAs?” questioned former Union Minister Anand Sharma.

Addressing a conference at the AICC headquarters in Delhi, Anand Sharma said everyone was expecting Amit Shah to apologise for the drama that ensued after BJP elections, instead BJP agreed that they were allegedly trying to poach Congress-JD(S) MLAs.

“BJP stands exposed for its brazen use of power, money and other resources. They were trying to purchase MLAs. The Prime Minister undermined his office by campaigning in a manner which is unbecoming of a Prime Minister. No Prime Minister has used lies as much as he did during these elections. We would expect the Prime Minister to apologise to the country,” said Sharma.

In what was seen as an attempt by the BJP to usurp power at any cost, they offered crores to Congress leaders. “Security was withdrawn, and Congress MLAs were not allowed to fly. They did all this because they wanted to buy our MLAs, but they were constrained by the Supreme Court verdict. SC had invoked the 10th Schedule of the Constitution,” asserted Sharma.

This is nothing but a case of sour grapes. Alleging that BJP used everything in their might to influence the election, Sharma said that Central government agencies were used to influence Karnataka elections.

Demanding an independent probe into BJP’s source of funding, Sharma said everyone wanted to know how they have amassed all this money. “BJP is one of the richest political parties in the world. At least Rs 6,500 crore was spent by the BJP in the run-up to Karnataka elections. Narendra Modi should not be celebrating on the May 26, fourth anniversary of his government, instead he should apologise for spending the people’s money on promotion,” said Sharma.

Amit Shah had claimed that only Congress and JD(S) were celebrating, people of Karnataka were not. “The mandate given by the people of Karnataka was against the Congress. There was no confusion about it. I want to ask them what is more humiliating...losing a few bypolls or suffering defeating in 14 states,” asked Shah. He also claimed that the Congress lawyer lied in the Supreme Court that BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa had sought seven days time from the Governor to prove majority in the House.

Slamming Shah’s statement, Sharma said that BJP members were masters of doublespeak. “We had supported HD Deve Gowda in 1996 also. For the purpose of a progressive and stable government, it is necessary to enter into alliances. Congress has got two per cent more votes than the last Assembly elections. JD(S)-congress combine together has 21% more vote share than BJP. Congress got the popular vote,” pointed out Sharma.