Operation Lotus: Siddaramaiah's threat to democracy tweet draws flak

Bengaluru: The news of two independent MLAs R Shankar and H Mahesh withdrawing their support extended to the JD(S)- Congress alliance government has resulted in a wave of developments in both the BJP and the Congress-JD(S) alliance. Former chief minister, Congress leader Siddaramaiah's tweet regarding this has drawn flak from the state BJP leaders.

When news of two independent MLAs withdrawing support broke in the state, Siddaramaiah tweeted that even BJP leaders are in talks with Congress, hinting there was a chance of more people shifting parties.

ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಕೆಲವು ಬಿಜೆಪಿ‌ ಶಾಸಕರು ಕೂಡಾ ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂಪರ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ನಾವೇನು ಕೈಕಟ್ಟಿ ಕೂತಿಲ್ಲ.‌ ರಾಜಕೀಯದ ಅಖಾಡದಲ್ಲಿ‌ ನಾವೂ ಕುಸ್ತಿ ಆಡಿದವರು, ಪಟ್ಟುಗಳು ನಮಗೂ ಗೊತ್ತು.

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah)

Siddaramaiah criticised the BJP and blamed the party for destabilising the government. He took a dig at BJP's claim of having Saaf Niyat (clean or pure intentions) and questioned if destabilising a stable government can be called saaf niyat.

To this comment, MP, BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar took Siddaramaiah to task and said, “Siddaramaiah talking about Niyat is like Rahul Gandhi talking about corruption.”

This is most hilarious outburst ever 😂😂 talking abt “Niyat” is like talkng of corruption - best avoided ! 😄

Siddaramaiah-avare problm is tht ur in a “Gatbandhan” of opportunism - whch history shws always unravels. https://t.co/kfc9SYAJqY

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@rajeev_mp)

Earlier, BJP veteran leader Suresh Kumar countered Siddaramaiah's claim that even the BJP leaders are in contact with Congress leaders and termed it 'Aane Pataki,' meaning most overrated false claim.

ಆನೆ ಪಟಾಕಿ! https://t.co/rViSQXnJ4g

— Sureshkumar (@nimmasuresh)

Siddaramaiah also had tweeted about 'Operation Lotus' and said that it is not new. He also said that the party (BJP) will indulge whenever they feel politically threatened.

 

. has a legacy of 'Gandha Niyat,Resort Vikas'. Their 'Operation Kamala' is not new &they will indulge whenever they feel politically threatened.Recent miserable loss in 5 states is the result of their ongoing attempt in Karnataka which will fail

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah)

Reacting to the tweet, BJP leader CT Ravi tweeted: "If there is something such as operation Congress, it is called a political move. If MLAs harassed by the government join hands with BJP, it is deemed a threat to democracy?”

ನೀವು "ಆಪರೇಷನ್‌ ಹಸ್ತ" ಮಾಡಿದರೆ ಅದು ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಅಖಾಡ, ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕಾಟ ತಾಳಲಾರದವರು ನಮ್ಮ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಜೊತೆ ಕೈ ಜೋಡಿಸಿದರೆ ಅದು ಪ್ರಜಾಪ್ರಭುತ್ವದ ಕೊಲೆಯೇ ಸಿದ್ಧರಾಮಯ್ಯನವರೇ?

ಈ ಮಕ್ಕಳಾಟವನ್ನು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಪಪ್ಪುವಿನ ಕೂಡ ಆಡಿ, ಕೋಟ್ಯಂತರ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಜೊತೆ ಅಲ್ಲ. https://t.co/A0HUMwGxfz

— C T Ravi 🇮🇳 (@CTRavi_BJP)

 

There is speculation that resort politics will return in Karnataka and both the BJP and the Congress-JD(S) alliance will try to safeguard their MLAs.

Congress Karnataka in-charge KC Venugopal reached Karnataka to tackle the situation and deter attempts of defection.

Yeddyurappa has announced that Karnataka will receive good news in the coming days.  He came down heavily on Siddaramaiah's tweet on threat to democracy and questioned the Congress leader, "When the people of Karnataka voted the BJP to majority (single largest party in the last assembly elections), you had no shame to join hands with the JD(S) and form a khichdi (mixed) government. Where was your sense of democracy?"

ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಜನತೆ ನಿಮನ್ನು ತಿರಸ್ಕರಿಸಿದರೂ ನಾಚಿಕೆ, ಮಾನ, ಮರ್ಯಾದೆ ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಜೆ.ಡಿ.ಎಸ್ ಜೊತೆ ಸೇರಿ ಕಿಚಡಿ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ರಚಿಸಿದಾಗ ನಿಮಗೆ ಪ್ರಜಾಪ್ರಭುತ್ವದ ನೆನಪು ಏಕೆ ಆಗಲಿಲ್ಲ? https://t.co/ovqOeKDdXb

— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka)

The withdrawal of two independent supporters has brought the strength of Karnataka government down to 118 in the 224-member Assembly. BJP has 104 MLAs and possibly two more with independents leaning towards the BJP.

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