Karnataka politics: BJP uses caste card to woo JD(S) leader

BENGALURU: The 80-minute audio clip released on Wednesday is a purported conversation between opposition leader in the legislative assembly BS Yeddyurappa, BJP MLAs Shivanagouda Naik and Preetham Gowda and Sharanagouda, son of JD(S) MLA Naganagouda Kandakur. An anonymous well-wisher of Yeddyurappa, who accompanied him, also joined in the conversation. During the discussions, BJP leaders freely invoke the caste card to convince Sharanagouda to get his father resign.Excerpts:
Yeddyurappa: You (Sharanagouda) can come with police security to submit resignation (of Naganagouda). The speaker cannot be elusive. If you submit resignation when session is going on, the speaker will be there all the time. He has to accept resignation. The only condition is that the MLA must meet him in person.
Shivanagouda Naik: He (speaker) has to accept resignation within 24 hours. You take a decision. You should feel proud that someone from your community is becoming the CM. Why are you worried about Kumaraswamy who is from Ramanagar and has no relationship with you?
Sharanagouda: Somebody was telling me that six BJP MLAs will join us (JDS).
Yeddyurappa: That is all lie. Not a single BJP MLA will go. We have left all MLAs free. They (ruling coalition) have not been able to touch one MLA.
Naik: There is nobody in BJP who will switch sides. All our MLAs are waiting for the government to fall. Yesterday, Venkatappa Naik (former Congress MLA) was saying that he was told by an MLA that the government will fall in two-three days. The chief minister himself has gone into depression.
Anonymous person: There is no political future for JD(S) workers and leaders. I am not forcing you to join BJP. I am telling you because you are our man.
Naik: You can start a new political innings with BJP. You be with sahebru (Yeddyurappa). You will become Yadgir district in-charge minister. You will get a good portfolio. We will discuss about financial matters separately. I set up the meeting only to instil confidence in you. Vijayendra (Yeddyurappa’s son) will talk about financial matters. You tell the amount, we will get you. You can also talk about your election expenses
Anonymous: Bypoll to assembly seats will happen simultaneously with the Lok Sabha election. Yeddyurappa wants to win 20 Lok Sabha seats at any cost. So your election expenses will also be taken care. You lack political experience. I have seen Gowda and Kumaraswamy. They have not done anything for north Karnataka Lingayats who went with him in the past.
Preetham: Don’t mistake me for interfering. Anna has given me mandate to strike this deal. You don’t worry about payment. I will pay you by selling my property. You tell the amount. I will tell you if it is acceptable for us or not. Just think of me as your younger brother. You are a young star. This is a national party and it will be there till the sun and moon exist. Deve Gowda’s wicket will go soon. Kumaranna is not in good health. So, soon the JD(S) will vanish. Now I am 35-36 years old and I am already an MLA. You are 30 years old. You can be in politics for next 40 years. Let us be together.