Investigate ‘Operation Lotus’ that pulled down coalition govt: Siddaramaiah hits back at BJP

News Network
August 19, 2019

Bengaluru, Aug 19: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's decision to order a CBI investigation into the allegations of phone-tapping during the coalition government of the Congress and HD Kumaraswamy's Janata Dal Secular, has drawn a sharp retort from Siddaramaiah. The government, the senior Congress leader said, should order an investigation into the alleged "Operation Lotus" that the JDS-Congress coalition claims pulled down its government.

"On the telephone tapping issue. Several leaders, including Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah, have said it should be probed and truth should come out, so I have decided to order a CBI probe. Tomorrow itself I will order the probe," Mr Yediyurappa told reporters.

The troubled coalition government, which had a wafer-thin majority, collapsed last month after 15 MLAs from the two parties resigned and two Independents switched sides.

The coalition has alleged that the BJP had engineered the defections with money power - much like an earlier occasion when they wanted the government led by BS Yediyurappa to remain in power.

Today, Siddaramaiah tweeted: "I welcome the decision of @BSYBJP to hand over the phone tapping case to CBI. But, in the past, @BJP4India has used CBI as its puppet to unleash its venomous political vendetta. Hope @BJP4Karnataka leaders does not have similar intentions this time."

There have been allegations that Siddaramaiah, who controlled the state's intelligence wing, was in the know about the phone tapping. But Mr Siddaramaiah has denied the allegation by AH Vishwanath -- disqualified MLA of Mr Kumaraswamy's party.

Last week, AH Vishwanath -- the former JDS state chief who turned rebel -- accused the HD Kumarswamy government of tapping phones and spying on more than 300 leaders, including him.

According to reports, phones of those close to Siddaramaiah -- who was the then coalition coordination committee chief -- had come under the watch of the government.

His allegation gave mileage to the controversy that had been swirling around the state for weeks.

Congress leaders, including Siddaramaiah, Mallikarjun Kharge and home minister in the alliance government MB Patil, have sought an investigation. The other key leader and former minister, DK Shivakumar, has rejected the allegations.

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News Network
March 14,2024

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Udupi: In a freak mishap, a 65-year-old man lost his life after being hit by his own bus which was being repaired at a garage at Athrady in Udupi district on Wednesday, March 13.

The deceased has been identified as Dayanand Shetty, the owner of a private bus.

It is learnt that the bus had been kept for repairs at the garage and Dayanand had gone there to inspect the repair works.

At this time, the mechanic started the engine and the bus moved ahead. Dayanand, who was standing in front of the bus, came under its wheels.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital where he died without responding to the treatment. A case is registered at jurisdictional Manipal police station.

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News Network
March 19,2024

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Bengaluru, Mar 19: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said that the Congress will split in three months after the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and its impact will be visible on the Siddaramaiah-led state government.

"Due to internal squabbles, the state government will not last long," the BJP leader said.

Talking to reporters on Monday, he said the sitting MP from the Gadag-Haveri constituency, Shivakumar Udasi, has done a lot of development work and implemented the Central government's schemes effectively.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi will surely become the PM for the third time. The overall response has been good in the Gadag-Haveri Lok Sabha constituency," the former Karnataka chief minister said.

Asked if he was contesting the election in a half-hearted manner in the Gadag-Haveri seat, Bommai said "such a question does not arise when the party's high command gives instructions".

He said he would respect his opponent and not take anyone lightly. 

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News Network
March 17,2024

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Beltangady, Mar 17: A three-year-old boy was crushed to death under the wheels of an auto-rickshaw in front of his house at Panakaje Mundadi in Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada. 

The gut-wrenching tragedy took place on Saturday, March 16 morning when the boy ran out of home to the road. 

The victim has been identified as Kaushik, the son of Chandrashekhar and Usha couple. Their home is situated adjacent to the main road at Panakaje.

It is learnt that the auto-rickshaw failed to notice the boy who suddenly darted towards the road and hit him. 

Even though the injured boy was rushed to a private hospital in Ujire and later to Mangaluru, he breathed his last. 

The Beltangady traffic police have registered a case in connection with the incident.

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