Cong MLAs being "terrorised" as part of BJP's toppling bid, alleges Kharge

Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attempting to “take control” of his party MLAs in Karnataka by using CBI, ED and Income Tax to “terrorise” them in the BJP’s alleged bid to topple the state government.

“They are trying multiple things such as threatening our MLAs by carrying out CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax raids.

Modi is attempting to take control over our MLAs,” Kharge alleged while addressing Congress workers at a ceremony where H K Patil took over as KPCC campaign committee chief.

Kharge, the Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, reminded BJP leaders that Congress workers were “strong and stubborn” and they would not yield to any pressure.

He spoke about an incident to underline ‘Operation Lotus’, an alleged BJP attempt to topple the coalition government, Kharge said he, Modi, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, and senior BJP leader L K Advani had assembled on January 16 evening to decide on the Gandhi Peace Prize.

When they were sitting, the prime minister asked Kharge about the developments in Karnataka, he said.

“I told him that it is you not me who knows better about what you are doing. Modi said there is an information that BJP MLAs have been lured to defect.

I replied that your people and your government are doing it.Then he said your people (Congress MLAs) are roaming here and there.” 

On the developments in CBI, Kharge alleged that the prime minister had removed Alok Verma as the agency chief illegally without taking the selection committee into confidence.

The prime minister has convened a meeting on January 24 to select the next CBI director, Kharge said, adding that he knew “beforehand” what the outcome would be.

“A meeting has been convened on January 24 after I gave notice (for the selection of CBI director). I know what the outcome will be because they have got the majority and they will do what they want,” Kharge charged.

Kharge had Tuesday written to the prime minister demanding early holding of the meeting of the high powered committee to appoint a regular CBI Director.

Presently, IPS officer MNageswara Rao has been named the interim director of the CBI.

Kharge accused Modi of ruining one institution after another whether it be universities, chief vigilance commissioner or CBI.

The Congress in-charge of Karnataka affairs, K C Venugopal, alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre was involved in the Rafale scam.

Venugopal said the prime minister thought that nobody could question him.

He appealed to the party workers to gear up for the Lok Sabha polls, saying the country was going for a change.

“I am very much sure that if you work hard, definitely 2019 will be Indian National Congress year…

We will oust Modi from power,” the Congress general secretary said.

Venugopal expressed confidence that Congress and its ally JD(S) would win all the 28 seats in the state.