Stand-off between ruling coalition and Oppn over SIT probe

The stand-off between the government and opposition continued in the assembly Tuesday over an SIT probe into an audio clip showing BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa in a purported conversation to lure a JD(S) MLA in his alleged attempt to topple the Congress-JDS government.

Kumaraswamy on Monday had announced a comprehensiveSIT probe into the audio clip.

He hadaccepted an "advice" by an emotional Speaker Ramesh Kumar to constitute SIT to probe the episode to "establish the truth" as his name has also been dragged with the charge that he had been "booked" for Rs 50 crore.

During an intervention in the discussions Tuesday, the Speaker, pointing to repeated reference to charges against him said his "situation was like that of a rape victim, as they too are supposedly questioned about the incident repeatedly."
The Speaker called for a meeting of floor leaders on Wednesday to resolve the issue, as the BJP stuck to its strong opposition to the SIT, saying it could be used for "political vengeance."
Kumaraswamy expressed surprise about being called 'A1' by BJP in the case and said that since the leader of the opposition and other members have called him accused, "at least to punish me, a comprehensive inquiry has to happen."
Hitting out at BJP for suspecting political vengeance on the part of the government and its officials, he asked "did I direct Yeddyurappa and others in the way they did.?