Daijiworld Media Network - Kalaburagi (SP)

Kalaburagi, Feb 18: Chincholi MLA, Dr Umesh Jadhav, who has been in the centre of controversy after rumour spread that he was offered Rs 50 crore to join BJP as part of Operation Lotus, said that people have been purposefully spreading false information about him. He offered to commit suicide if anyone is able to prove that he had accepted Rs 50 crore under a deal to change his political loyalty..

Jadhav, who has good popularity in the area and who the rumours said, the BJP wants to field as Lok Sabha candidate opposite Kalaburagi MP, Mallikarjun Kharge, was speaking to media persons at Sewalal Nagar in Wadi town. "I was in the hospital as my wife underwent surgery. I could not attend the session on time. I reached the house at the last minute to help pass the coalition government's budget, not out of fear of the whip," he explained.

He said that he entered politics when he was serving as a central government employee because of the encouragement extended by the then chief minister of Karnataka, Dharam Singh. In an apparent reference to Kharge, he said that after he entered politics, Dharam Singh had extended to him the hand of support whereas the current leaders have disowned him. He also lamented the fact that the current leaders from the district have been blocking his every effort to achieve the progress of his constituency.

On the question whether he plans to join BJP, he said he is for the present, with the Congress. "I have not yet taken any decision. I am undergoing mental depression now and because I am in utter confusion, I will take a final decision during the first week of March. I have been seeking opinions of my fans and voters, and will take further steps based on the feedback I receive. If I have the support of the people and blessings of my Guru, Rama Rao Maharaj, I will fight Lok Sabha election," he clarified.