Bengaluru, March 15 (NationPress) D.K. Shivakumar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, has leveled accusations against the BJP, claiming that they attempted to engage in horse trading involving Congress MLAs from Odisha who were lodged at a resort near Bengaluru. He revealed that two individuals apprehended confessed their involvement in the controversial 'Operation Lotus'.

During a media briefing, Shivakumar, who also holds the position of state Congress chief, disclosed that four individuals arrived from Odisha and reserved a room with the help of a local contact named Suresh.

He explained that upon entering the resort, where eight Congress MLAs are currently residing, they approached one of the legislators in the morning, offering Rs 5 crore for each vote.

Shivakumar further stated that the individuals had arrived with two cheques from the BJP, yet the MLAs rejected the offer. He noted that while two of the individuals managed to flee, the other two were apprehended.

According to Shivakumar, the suspects acknowledged their intent, prompting the filing of a complaint, and the police have begun their investigation in accordance with legal protocols.

He asserted that the BJP leaders were behind this alleged 'Operation Lotus'.

Shivakumar mentioned that more information regarding the incident would be disclosed by party leaders later. He pointed out that the individual who reserved the hotel online reportedly hails from the Byatarayanapura area in Bengaluru.

He reiterated that the accused proposed Rs 5 crore each to the MLAs, who firmly declined the offer, leading to the seizure of the cheques.

When queried about the forthcoming by-elections for two Karnataka seats, Shivakumar expressed confidence in the party's potential to win, stating that candidates would be announced shortly by the leadership.

Ashok Kumar Das, the Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislative Party in Odisha, has filed a report with the Bidadi police in the Ramanagar district, alleging that four individuals attempted to bribe Congress MLAs from Odisha currently in Bengaluru ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections set for March 16.

In his report to the Station House Officer of the Bidadi police station, Das noted that concerns regarding attempts to influence or poach Congress MLAs arose after the ruling BJP in Odisha nominated an additional candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections.

He indicated that eight Congress MLAs from Odisha arrived in Bengaluru on March 12 to ensure their safety amid these concerns.

The complaint states that four unidentified individuals approached some MLAs on Sunday, allegedly trying to bribe them with crores of rupees in exchange for cross-voting in favor of a specific candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections.

Das claimed that when the MLAs turned down the offer, the individuals threatened them with violence if they returned to Odisha. Furthermore, he reported that the accused used abusive language towards the legislators.

The individuals named in the complaint include Birendra Prasad, Suresh, Ajit Kumar Sahu, and Simachal Mohakud.

Das has requested the police to take appropriate legal action against the accused. The police are anticipated to review the complaint and proceed with further investigations.