Bengaluru: In another purported audio clip between BJP leaders and Congress MLA, the party on Saturday released a recording of another conversation alleging poaching ahead of the floor test in Karnataka Assembly.
In the third audio clip released today, the Congress said its MLA BC Patil was offered bribe by BJP’s Sriramulu and Muralidhar Rao.
While the first audio clip contained a purported audio conversation between mining baron Janardhana Reddy and a Congress MLA, the second one was alleged talks between Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa and Congress Hirekerur MLA BC Patil.
A floor test will be held at 4 PM on Saturday in the Karnataka Assembly where Yeddyurappa will have to prove majority.
Sources said that Congress has lodged two FIRs against BJP for offering a bribe to its MLAs.
In the conversation, a man suspected to be Molakalmuru MLA B Sriramulu is asking Patil “What amount are you expecting?”
According to the transcripts released by the Congress, he also assures Patil that there would not be any re-election even if he crossvotes 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,” the man on the phone is heard saying.
Muralidhar Rao, BJP’s National General Secretary, also talked to the MLA and assured him that there won’t be any re-election, Congress alleged.
In an audio clip released earlier, the Congress had alleged that Yeddyurappa had offered a ministerial berth to Patil. In the audio, a man suspected to be Yeddyurappa is asking Patil not to board the bus going to Cochi. The MLA, however, does not give him a definite answer and promises to call back in 5 minutes.
Here is the transcript of the purported audio conversation between Sriramulu and Patil. (Transcript, as well as the audio, was released by the Congress and we are reproducing the same here):
Sriramulu: Namaskara, I am Ramulu speaking.
BC Patil: Namaskara
Sriramulu: What amount are you expecting?
BC Patil: ‘Sahebru’ didn’t tell me anything
Sriramulu: Tell me what amount are you expecting?
BC Patil: That you should tell.
Sriramulu: Some 25 had been spoken. How many people do you have with you?
BC Patil: 3-4 people are with me. I have to clarify to them. I am confident.
Sriramulu: Will get them 10-15
BC Patil: How about their position?
Sriramulu: Will make them Ministers
BC 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.
BC 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.
The Congress had yesterday released a purported audio conversation between Reddy and a Congress MLA.
Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar had, however, said the audio was “utter falsehood.” “We condemn the actions of the Congress’ dirty tricks department,” he said.