KARNATAKA: Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi on Saturday alleged that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar are indulging in the purchase of MLAs amid the escalating leadership strife in the state.
Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, Joshi claimed that Shivakumar visited the Bengaluru Central Prison to seek the support of two jailed Congress MLAs, Vinay Kulkarni and Veerendra Pappi.
“He met them in jail on Friday. Why had he not met them all these days?” Joshi questioned, asserting that the meeting was intended to secure the support of the legislators upon their release.
"In the event of voting for the chief minister’s post, their support will be useful to him. Whenever Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is asked to step down, he insists on a vote. Both leaders are busy gathering numbers by ensuring the support of MLAs on their side, " the Union Minister alleged.