New Delhi, February 9: The Congress today hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the audio clips released by Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday claiming that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president BS Yeddyurappa tried to bribe Janata Dal (Secular) MLA. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “In what capacity is BJP Karnataka President & former CM discussing approaching SC judges to get the case right?” Taking a jibe at PM Modi and BJP, president Amit Shah, Surjewala said. “Have Narendra Modi & Amit Shah given them such assurances? Has the SC become a 'jebi dukaan' of BJP?”

Meanwhile, Congress MP KC Venugopal also attacked Yeddyuarappa over the audio clips. He said, “It (audio clips) states that BS Yeddyurappa is offering Rs 10 Crore per MLA and in his deliberation, it's clear there are 18 MLAs. Therefore it comes at the rate of around Rs 200 Cr. He's offering 12 MLAs minister post, 6 were offered chairman posts in different boards.” Venugopal further added, "He is also offering election expenses to MLAs after they resign. They offered Rs 50 Crore to the speaker for not disqualifying his MLAs. Clippings are referring to the names of Amit Shah and Narendra Modi ji for managing here and there through Yeddyurappa himself."

Yesterday, Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy released the audio clip. In the audio clip, Yeddyurappa was purportedly heard wooing Kandkur's son Sharana by offering Rs 25 lakh and a ministerial berth for his father. Addressing a press conference, Kumaraswamy alleged that Yeddyurappa called Sharan early this morning, attempting to entice his father. "Without the knowledge of the prime minister, is it possible to do this," the chief minister asked, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi should come clean on the issue.

However, Yeddyurappa all the allegations levelled against him and also termed the audio clips as “fake” "a concocted story". "It is fake audio... I have not met anyone. Kumaraswamy is trying to hide his failures. This is a drama," Yeddyurappa said. "Kumaraswamy himself is a film producer. He is an expert in voice recording.... whatever the charge he has made is baseless," Yeddyurappa added. He said the Kumaraswamy government had lost the trust of the people and had "no moral right" to continue in office.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 09, 2019 11:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).