Odisha Congress MLAs offered ₹5 crore to cross vote in Rajya Sabha polls: D K Shivakumar

Bengaluru

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday claimed that Congress MLAs from Odisha, who were staying at a resort in Bidadi near Bengaluru, were allegedly offered ₹5 crore each to cross vote in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence and later at the residence of Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the Indian National Congress, Shivakumar said that four individuals from Odisha approached the MLAs with the offer as part of an alleged attempt at “Operation Lotus.”

According to Shivakumar, the Congress legislators rejected the proposal and informed party leaders about the alleged attempt. He said the police had confiscated a cheque that was reportedly given to the MLAs and would conduct a mahazar as part of the investigation.

A complaint has already been filed in connection with the incident, Shivakumar added. “Two of the four people involved have been arrested, while the police are searching for the other two who managed to escape. The law will take its course,” he said.

Responding to questions about the MLAs meeting Kharge, Shivakumar remarked that it was natural for Congress legislators to meet the party president and seek his blessings before returning to Odisha on Monday morning.

When asked about his confident demeanor amid the controversy, Shivakumar said the party was accustomed to facing such political challenges and maintained that he always remained calm and guided by his conscience.

He also dismissed reports of confusion over the party ticket in Davanagere, asserting that all leaders had agreed to abide by the party’s decision. Shivakumar declined to comment on remarks made by Congress MLA Ramesh Bandisidde Gowda regarding seer Nirmalananda Swamiji, saying he had no information about the matter.