Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 19: The Congress, which had earlier released an audio clip, where one can hear purported conversation between chief minister B S Yeddyurappa trying to poach Congress Hirekerur MLA B C Patil, has again released another audio clip of B C Patil being offered bribe by BJP's Sriramulu and Muralidhar Rao.
In the purported conversation, Molakalmuru MLA B Sriramulu is asking B C Patil "What amount are you expecting?"
He further assures that there won’t be re-election even if he cross votes as there won't be any disqualification of MLAs.
"Don't worry, there won't be any election. We will elect our speaker and show the majority. Like in Andhra and Telangana, there won't be any disqualification of MLAs. So you don't have to worry about Election," he is heard saying.
The phone is then passed allegedly to Muralidhar Rao, BJP's National General Secretary. He too purportedly tells Patil that there won't be any re-election.
"Game of Congress' dirty tricks department": Muralidhar Rao
However, Muralidhar Rao has taken to twitter to deny bribing allegations. "The Congress day in and day out indulging in fake tricks. BJP has never indulged in any bribing. It is the game of Congress's dirty tricks department," he tweeted.
A floor test will be held on May 19 at 4 PM in the Karnataka Assembly where Yeddyurappa needs to prove majority to stay in power.
According to sources, Congress has lodged two FIRs against BJP for offering a bribe to its MLAs.
Transcript of the purported audio conversation between Sriramulu, Muralidhar Rao and Patil.
Sriramulu: Namaskara, I am Ramulu speaking.
B C Patil: Namaskara
Sriramulu: What amount are you expecting?
B C Patil: 'Sahebru' didn't tell me anything
Sriramulu: Tell me what amount are you expecting?
B C Patil: That you should tell.
Sriramulu: Some 25 had been spoken. How many people do you have with you?
B C Patil: 3-4 people are with me. I have to clarify to them. I am confident.
Sriramulu: Will get them 10-15
B C Patil: How about their position?
Sriramulu: Will make them Ministers
B C Patil: In my constituency, UB Banakar is strong. Of there is re-election, there will be a problem.
Sriramulu: Don't worry, there won't be any Election. We will elect our speaker and show the majority. Like in Andhra and Telangana, there won't be any disqualification of MLAs. So you don't have to worry about Election. I will now give the phone to Muralidhar Rao, you speak to him.
Muralidhar Rao: There is no question of resigning. You don't have to go for Elections again.
B C Patil: As 3-4 people are with me, you have to tell me the figures
Sriramulu comes to the phone: I have already told you 15. You don't ask him the figures.
Muralidhar Rao: We are ready. And no Election for anybody. It's about the speaker. In every state, it's the same thing.