Contrversial CD - ’cash for JD (S) votes’ ?

Mangalore Today News Network

Bangalore, July 6, 2014: Media reports state, a CD allegedly picturing JD (S) leader H D Kumaraswamy telling the party members that each JD (S) MLA was demanding Rs one crore for exercising his/her franchise in the Legislative Council elections, surfaced on Saturday. The JD(S) won one seat in the recently held Council polls.

The scene it is said took place between Kumaraswamy and the supporters of JD (S) leader Vijugoud Patil before the elections.  Patil is from Babaleshwar of Bijapur district. His  followers had met former chief minister Kumaraswamy seeking ticket to their leader. They had met him under the banner of ‘Vijugoud Patil Abhimana Balaga’.

The conversation that reportedly took place was released as a CD to media July 5, by the Abhimana Balaga. The veracity of the 31-minutes audio CD  is suspect and not confirmed.  In the said conversation, when the followers of Patil insisted that ticket should be given to him, a voice resembling that of Kumaraswamy was heard saying, “I am ready. But voters are MLAs. What can I do if they do not vote? Our MLAs have put forth a demand that each of them want Rs one crore from  the contestants. We will get only one seat. Horse trading is going on.”

He also stated that his party legislators have been saying that they had taken loan and hence they need money. Each of them are demanding Rs one crore from the contestants to the Rajya Sabha and the Council elections.

“Those who have made money when we were in power for 40 months are also demanding money. They have formed a group and demanding money,” he was heard saying.  When the associates questioned that Patil enjoyed the support of pontiffs of North Karnataka, Kumaraswamy was heard losing temper and said, “I respect swamijis. But not a single swamiji has praised our work. No swamiji has brought us even 50 votes. We have to listen to our legislators.”

When the followers realise that it is not possible to field Patil, they, sarcastically say, “We will also give Rs 40 crore. All voters will pool in money.” Then Kumaraswamy was heard saying Rs 25 crore would do. But the supporters offered Rs 10 crore, according to the contents of the CD. Kumaraswamy is also heard saying that those who reaped benefits from him were trying to make money in the Council elections. The legitamacy of the CD is questionable indicate knowledgeable sources.