BJP trapped our 15 MLAs, destroyed their political career: DK Shivakumar

Bengaluru: Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party saying it had duped the 15 rebel MLAs by making them to resign from the Assembly and in the process has systematically destroyed their political future.

Speaking on the trust vote motion in the Assembly on Tuesday, Mr. Shivakumar admitted that he tore up the resignation letter of Congress MLA Munirathna at the Speaker's office a few days ago in a bid to dissuade him.

“I tried my best to ensure they (rebel MLAs) did not resign. I will not call them dissatisfied MLAs, they are all satisfied MLAs. These MLAs are under the impression that they will become ministers in the Bharatiya Janata Party government. I am sure the Bharatiya Janata Party will dupe them after forming the government,” Mr Shivakumar said.

“My friends, Congress MLAs (Somashekar, Munirathna, M.T.B. Nagaraj and Byrati Basavaraj) backstabbed me. I had actually requested the party to give the poll ticket to Mr Nagaraj from Hosakote, I had been to Mumbai to bring my friends back but the Mumbai police did not allow to me to enter the hotel where the rebel MLAs were staying. In fact I went to the hotel because two of them requested me to bring them back. My party leaders criticized me for going to Mumbai but I did it for the sake of the Congress", Mr Shivakumar defended.

“I am facing hundreds of cases with the IT, CBI and ED after me but I will face all cases. I am even ready to go to jail,” he added.