Kumaraswamy dismisses reports about BJP's alleged efforts to topple K'taka govt

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Monday said there was no question of "instability" in the Congress-JD(S) dispensation as he sought to downplay reports about the BJP allegedly attempting 'Operation Lotus' to topple his government.

He, however, reiterated his allegation that the BJP was trying to lure MLAs of the ruling combine even as he expressed confidence that none of them would switch sides.

"I have noticed reports in sections of the media (about 'Operation Lotus'). Today too I saw a media report stating that on January 17, President's rule will be imposed in the state. I don't know who is feeding such reports to the media...I was surprised to see the report," Kumaraswamy said.

"I don't know who will benefit from such reports, but in my opinion it will cause loss to the people of the state," he told reporters in Mysuru.

'Operation Lotus' is a reference to the BJP allegedly luring several opposition MLAs to defect to ensure stability of its then-government headed by B S Yeddyurappa in 2008.

Speculations are rife that six to eight Congress MLAs are ready to jump ship to the BJP side. There are also reports that a few of them have gone incommunicado.

Asked about Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar's claim that three Congress MLAs were camping at a hotel in Mumbai in the "company of some BJP leaders", Kumaraswamy said, they were in constant touch with him.

Not revealing their names, he said "They are my friends. Those MLAs in Mumbai or 104 BJP MLAs who are in Delhi are all my people, so there is no question of instability to this government."
Asked about the Congress MLAs camping in a Mumbai hotel, he said "Let them be...why they have gone, nobody knows. They might have gone on holiday or to visit temples or meet leaders."