Political war erupts as BJP, Cong-JDS allege poaching of MLAs

A fresh political war erupted in Karnataka Monday as the ruling Congress-JDS coalition and BJP accused each other of making a renewed bid to poach MLAs, with chief minister H D Kumaraswamy saying he has "sufficient numbers" to run a stable government.

Amid speculation that six to eight Congress MLAs are ready to jump ship to the BJP side and some lawmakers of the ruling coalition have gone incommunicado, Kumaraswamy said there was no question of "instability" in his government.

As the Congress-JDS combine accused the BJP of luring away its MLAs offering bribes and other allurements, BJP state chief B S Yeddyurappa rubbished reports that his party was attempting 'Operation Lotus' to topple the government.

He said there was no truth in the charge and alleged that the Congress-JD(S) combine was trying to woo his party MLAs.

Media reports about Congress MLAs willing to cross over to the BJP and some remaining incommunicado fuelled speculation about a possible threat to the government.

Adding to the speculation was BJP holding up all its 104 MLAs, who had gone to the national capital for the party national council meeting, in Delhi itself and having meetings.

'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.

"I have sufficient numbers for giving a stable government here, it is not necessary for Congress or JD(S) to poach the MLAs from BJP, we have sufficient numbers," Kumaraswamy said.

Kumaraswamy said he enjoyed the support of 120 MLAs and Yeddyurappa was making "futile attempts" to destabilise his government.

"In which BJP MLAs name rooms were reserved in which resort, how many rooms were reserved.How many Congress-JD(S) they were making attempts to lure and take them away..don't I have the information," he said.

"The coalition government enjoys support of 120 MLAs," he said.

He also said, "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."
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."
Hitting back, Yeddyurappa told reporters in New Delhi, "despite having majority, Congress-JD(S) combine is trying to lure our MLAs and indulging in horse-trading, BJP is not doing it. We with 104 MLAs are ready to work as opposition peacefully."
"There is not even an iota of truth in BJP taking some ruling coalition MLAs to Mumbai...only Congress-JD(S) know (why their MLAs are stationedin Mumbai), we don't know about it," he added