Koppal (Karnataka) [India], July 20 : BJP Karnataka President B.Y. Vijayendra claimed on Sunday that Congress MLAs have turned against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and that horse-trading is taking place as the race for the chief minister post unfolds within the ruling party.
"Ruling party MLAs are turning against the Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah)," Vijayendra told reporters in Koppal.
"A situation has arisen where the ruling party MLAs have no confidence in the Chief Minister. That is why Randeep Surjewala (AICC in charge of Karnataka) is coming to the state frequently. Horse trading is also going on to get the chief minister's post," he added.
Vijayendra also alleged that the Congress government in the State is mired in corruption.
"People have cursed the Congress government in the state, as it is mired in corruption," Vijayendra said.
Earlier this month, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed any leadership change in the state government, saying that there was no discussion in the Congress regarding the change of the chief minister's post. He added that his deputy, DK Shivakumar, himself noted that there is no vacancy for the CM post.
However, there have been reports of tensions within the Karnataka government over the CM post, and the Opposition BJP continues to claim that DK Shivakumar could replace Siddaramaiah.
On Saturday, Vijayendra alleged that Siddaramaiah held the 'Sadhana Samavesha' rally in Mysuru to threaten the Congress high command.
"Whenever the Chief Minister's chair feels shaky, whenever instability sets in, he (Siddaramaiah) holds rallies," Vijayendra told reporters in Kalaburagi.
"Siddaramaiah puts Ahinda (a Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) communities forward in order to maintain his political existence," he added.
The BJP state chief criticised Siddaramaiah for "exploiting" certain communities for political gain and using manipulative tactics to pressure the Congress high command. He claimed that Siddaramaiah's two-and-a-half-year tenure as Chief Minister has been devoid of any significant achievements.
"Had Siddaramaiah performed effectively as Chief Minister, AICC state in-charge Surjewala would not have needed to repeatedly visit Bengaluru to address discontent among MLAs. Surjewala's frequent visits indicate an effort to gauge the MLAs' dissatisfaction and assess their stance in case of a leadership change," Vijayendra said.