Odisha Congress MLAs offered Rs 5 crore to cross vote in Rajya Sabha: DK Shivakumar
India Today
Two Odisha Congress MLAs were offered Rs 5 crore each to cross vote in Rajya Sabha elections, DK Shivakumar alleged. Police have arrested two suspects, seized a cheque, and launched an investigation into the incident.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday accused some unknown people of attempting to lure Odisha Congress MLAs with Rs 5 crore each to influence the March 16 Rajya Sabha elections, terming it part of the BJP's alleged "Operation Lotus". Two people have been arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe the legislators.
Speaking to reporters at his residence in Sadashivanagar and later at AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's home, Shivakumar said the MLAs were housed at a resort in Bidadi when four individuals approached them with cash to cross vote.
"Four people have come. One local person named Suresh helped them; they contacted him (an MLA) online. In the morning they picked up our MLA. Our MLA told us that they offered Rs five crore for each vote. He (Congress MLA) said he is not for horse-trading," he said.
"The cheque and everything should be seized. A complaint will be filed at the police station. After that, whatever legal action is required will be taken," the Deputy Chief Minister added.
He also said that those caught have accepted that they came for the "same purpose".
"They have admitted it and the process is on to trace others. This is the great Operation Lotus carried out by BJP friends in Karnataka," the Deputy CM said.
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