BJP rejects Kumaraswamy’s horse-trading charges

Bengaluru, May 16 (IANS) Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday rejected the charges levelled by JD-S leader H.D. Kumaraswamy that the BJP has offered Rs 100 crore and cabinet posts to its newly elected MLAs to form a government in Karnataka and expressed confidence about forming a stable government.

"Rs 100 crore figure is not only imaginary but it is what the Congress and Janata Dal-Secular do politics with. We are going by the rules. We do not deal in horse-trading of any kind.

"We are confident of forming a government. We have met the Governor and submitted our claim. We are very sure that we will make a government and a very stable one," Javadekar told reporters.

Javadekar, who is the Karnataka in-charge for the Bharatiya Janata Party, made the remarks soon after Kumaraswamy accused the BJP of horse-trading and said his party legislators were offered Rs 100 crore each and cabinet berths.

"Our legislators have been offered Rs 100 crore and cabinet seats by the BJP in return for support," the former Chief Minister alleged at a press conference here.

The JD-S leader named Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah for the offer as the BJP, he said, was desperate to form a government and deny the JD-S a chance to form a government with Congress’ backing.

The JD-S and Congress together have the required majority to form the government, he added.