Cong MPs stage walkout in LS over horse-trading' in K'taka

New Delhi: The Karnataka horse-trading allegations resonated in the Lok Sabha on Monday with the Congress citing a purported audio clip of BJP state unit chief B.S. Yeddyurappa to accuse the BJP of trying to lure ruling coalition MLAs.

However, the charge was firmly rejected by Union minister Sadananda Gowda. Congress MPs including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, staged a wal-kout from the House over the issue but returned a few minutes later.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Congress leader in the House Mallikarjun Kharge levelled the allegations  against the BJP leadership.

Mr Kharge, who is an MP from the state, claimed that there are references that the Speaker of the state assembly and even a judge “could be managed”.At this point,     BJP members from the state, including former law minister Sadananda Gowda, objected.

Former prime minister and JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda who was also present in the house said that “things like ‘Operation Kamala’ should not happen in the country”.

‘Operation Kamala’ is a reference to win over MLAs from rival parties into the BJP.