#KarnatakaCrisis: Rahul says BJP bringing down governments 'using' money
Breaking his stoic silence on the political crisis in Karnataka, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday claimed BJP was "using" money to bring down state governments. "We saw that in the northeast as well," Rahul told reporters and added his party "fought for truth and justice". To note, the Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka is crumbling after 18 MLAs resigned. Here's more.
Context: Kumaraswamy is at risk of losing his CM chair
HD Kumaraswamy's government is hanging by a thread after 18 legislators resigned last week. Notably, speaker KR Ramesh didn't accept their resignations, claiming they weren't in "right format", forcing 10 disgruntled MLAs to approach Supreme Court. Though SC asked Ramesh to take a decision by end of Thursday, he didn't, saying he can't work at "lightning speed". He now has time till Tuesday.
Unsurprisingly, the crisis resonated in Lok Sabha, Congress blamed BJP
As the crisis deepened, Congress and JD(S) slammed BJP for orchestrating it. Earlier this week, Congress staged a walkout in Lok Sabha, its first in the session, accusing BJP of "poaching politics". However, Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh blamed Congress for failing to put its own house in order. "Whatever is happening (in Karnataka), it is an internal matter of the Congress," Singh said.
Rahul spoke on crisis, but too little and too late
Before holding BJP responsible for the crisis, Rahul, along with his mother and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, also participated in a "Save Democracy" protest. However, he spoke on the issue only on Friday. Naturally, Rahul's absenteeism when his party is struggling to survive didn't go unnoticed. His failure to rise up to the occasion raised questions on his leadership, once again.
However, as other leaders 'slept', Shivakumar put up a fight
While Rahul and the top brass of Congress failed to come together even in face of adversity, Karnataka minister Shivakumar'>DK Shivakumar fought tooth and nail. Shivakumar, who was the reason why Congress and JD(S) were able to form an alliance, went from Karnataka to Mumbai to persuade his "friends". When not allowed to enter the hotel where MLAs were closeted in, he stayed outside.
Shivakumar was determined to meet his friends, was eventually detained
Shivakumar went to Renaissance hotel, where his room was canceled. He told the police officers that he wanted to have a cup of coffee with these legislators, who had refused to meet him. Braving rains, he stayed put saying even if he were to "collapse", he wouldn't "care". Shivakumar was finally removed after police detained him, as Section 144 was imposed in the area.
Reportedly, Congress and BJP are shifting MLAs to resorts
Obviously, the 'natak' in Karnataka will continue till Tuesday, the day when Ramesh has to decide on resignations. Reportedly, BJP has decided to shift its MLAs to a resort in Yelahanka. Following suit, Congress will also take its MLAs to a hotel near Bengaluru airport.
