Ex-Karnataka CM in cash-for-MLC seat expose, calls it 'bitter truth of politics'

Former Karnataka chief minister and Janata Dal (S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, caught in a controversy over a CD showing him allegedly demanding a bribe for a seat in the Upper House of the state legislature, has reportedly told Times Now that this is the “bitter reality of present day politics”.

Weeks after legislative council polls in the southern states, the former CN was reportedly seen in a CD released by an organistaion of supporters of JD (S) functionary Vijugouda Patil Balaga discussing money with a man identified as a supporter of Vijugouda.

According to a report in The Times of India a Vijugouda supporter is seen making an offer of Rs 40 crore in exchange for a seat to the Bijapur leader. “Kumaraswamy scales it down to Rs 20 crore. “Give Rs 20 crore, I’ will try to convince MLAs,” he says,” according to the report.

Times Now reported that speaking to the television channel, Kumaraswamy did not deny that the conversation took place. He said has has committed no grave crime and that this happens i politics everywhere in the country.

“The system (cash-for-MLC seat) is not only in the JD(S) but BJP and Congress too,” said Kumaraswamy. He is ready for a debate on the issue. Vijugouda only said the Congress had released the CD to tarnish his image, the Times of India report said.

The conversation on the CD is supposed to have taken place in Bangalore during a party meet in early June. Vijaygouda Patil eventually did not secure a JD(S) nomination, and his disappointment is being seen as the motivation for the release of the CD.

A report in The Hindustan Times quoted Kumaraswamy as saying, “This is the bitter truth of present-day politics. I am not one of those leaders who say one thing on the face and do something else behind the scenes. It is not right to project me as a villain. The other parties have also done the same in these elections.”

The former Karnataka CM and Patil are not the only ones in the eye of a storm surrounding the legislative council elections in Karnataka. Only weeks ago, a Bengaluru-based realtor who secured a JD(S) nomination took party MLAs for a junket to Sri Lanka to celebrate his victory.