Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has alleged that a conspiracy is being hatched to topple the Congress government there after winning the state assembly polls earlier this year.
In an interaction with the media, Shivakumar said, "We will see. We too have certain information. It is their strategy. Instead of doing it in Bengaluru, they are doing it outside."
He also took shots at the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S), accusing it of trying to enter into the pact with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to sabotage the state government.
"BJP and JD-S leaders are trying to enter into a pact. They could not have a meeting in Bengaluru or in New Delhi, and have now booked tickets to Singapore... I have information on people who have flown out (to Singapore) only to hatch a plan to destabilise the Congress government in Karnataka," the Karnataka deputy CM was quoted by ANI as saying.
However, JD-S state president CM Ibrahim refuted the claims, saying that an alliance between the BJP and his party will get only 85 seats more, falling short of a majority.
"Even if they both join hands then also they'll be able to make only 85 (seats), they still need 50 (seats) more. Why do you care about it? First, you fulfil your promises... We don't have any such (operation) plan. If Shivakumar has some doubts, he can directly come and talk to me.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar's claims were backed by Karnataka's Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda, who said that the BJP has a reputation for bringing down elected governments.
"They have toppled many elected governments. Against this backdrop, we have to be alert. They (BJP) have no sense of good or bad. What all anti-democratic activities they have done is before us and that is what the Deputy Chief Minister would have meant. He might also have some other information," he said.
The Karnataka Minister further accused the BJP of misusing its power at the Centre.
(inputs from multiple agencies)
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