4 MLAs including 2 from JD(S) caught in cash for vote' sting ahead of RS polls

Bengaluru, Jun 3: In an embarrassment to the Janata Dal (Secular), two of its MLAs were allegedly caught in a sting operation by a private television channel, negotiating for rates upward of Rs. 5 crore in exchange for votes in the elections to the Rajya Sabha from the State.

In all, four Karnataka legislators were shown discussing money being paid for the Rajya Sabha elections to be held on June 11, in the sting broadcast by two television news channels channels.

While the Congress has two assured seats and the BJP one, it is for the fourth seat, for which the JD(S) and the Congress have fielded candidates, that most of the negotiations were shown taking place.

The two JD(S) legislators — Mallikarjun Khuba (Basavakalyan), G.T. Deve Gowda (Chamundeshwari) — were shown negotiating for rates ranging from Rs. 5 crore and above for their vote. Two other legislators caught on tape were B.R. Patil (Aland) from the Karnataka Janata Paksha and Varthur Prakash (Kolar), an Independent.

The channels said that Khuba told their representatives, who posed themselves as negotiators for a candidate that he was ready to vote in favour of the Congress for Rs five crore. The JD(S) legislator also claims that he has a team of MLAs who can cross vote and just one or two crores will not do, the channels claimed. But the audio was not clear.

The channels mentioned Deve Gowda's son-in-law Ram discussed the deal. During the conversations, Ram reportedly asks the representatives how much they can pay. When the representatives tell him not to worry about the sum, he asks whether they can pay Rs 10 crores.

Patil describes buying and selling of votes as a political match while discussing the elections. Varthur Prakash reportedly confides that it is not a problem to get money for Independent MLAs. All the politicians who appear on the sting operations have, however, denied the charges.

Reaction

Ramamurthy, when contacted, said he was surprised about the claims made by the channels. “A reporter from a TV?channel met me to take my reactions on the elections. All I said was that I have the support of the Congress and that would ensure my victory. I have no idea about the sting operation.”

Patil said: “None had approached me or come to me to talk about the money aspect. Of course, political leaders including chief minister had approached me seeking my support for their candidates. I will never stoop to the level of seeking money for my vote. I demand a judicial or a CBI probe into the TV?programme.”

Deve Gowda said: “I am not involved in it. I will discuss it tomorrow. I will get all the details about the programme tomorrow.” While Varthur Prakash and Khuba were not available for comments, the JD?(S) candidate Farook disconnected the phone.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has taken note of the sting operations and is likely to act after studying footage apparently showing Karnataka MLAs indulging in corrupt practices.

The poll panel is likely to seek a report from the Chief Election Officer of Karnataka, sources said in New Delhi. EC officials discussed the matter at Nirvachan Sadan after television channels aired the footage. The poll panel will take a call after studying all aspects, said a source.