An Influential Congress Minister To Join BJP With 50-60 MLAs: H D Kumaraswamy Hints At Op Kamala Possibility

On 10 December, Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswamy made a startling claim, asserting that a key minister within the ruling Congress might defect to the BJP due to mounting pressure from cases filed against him by the Centre, according to news reports.

The former Chief Minister of Karnataka went further, suggesting that the said minister could not only leave the Congress but also bring along "50 to 60 MLAs" to join the BJP.

Addressing reporters, Kumaraswamy expressed concerns about the stability of the Congress government, stating, "All is not well in the Congress government. I don't know when this government will go. An influential minister is desperate to escape from the cases against him."

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, he stated that the Centre had lodged cases with seemingly no room for the minister to evade legal consequences.

When pressed to disclose the identity of the minister, Kumaraswamy asserted that such a bold move could only be anticipated from "influential people" and not from smaller leaders.

Drawing parallels with the political developments in Maharashtra, Kumaraswamy predicted a similar upheaval in Karnataka, stating, "Looking at the prevailing political atmosphere, anything can happen."

Kumaraswamy also criticised the chief minister's announcement to allot Rs 10,000 crore for the welfare of minorities. He said that the Hindus have been excluded from the process of governance.

According to Hindustan Times, he said, "I am not against allocating funds for Muslims, but what about the Hindus? Not all Hindus belong to the upper castes. There are Dalits and the impoverished—what provisions are being made for them?"