BJP spent Rs 100 cr in bypoll, alleges Kumaraswamy

JDS Karnataka unit president and former CM H D Kumaraswamy alleged that ruling BJP spent more than Rs 100 crore in recent bypolls at eight Assembly constituencies.

JDS Karnataka unit president and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday alleged that the ruling BJP spent more than Rs 100 crore in the recent bypolls to the state assembly from eight Assembly constituencies.

A day after the results were declared with the BJP winning five seats and the JDS three, Kumaraswamy said the amount of money spent by the the BJP in the eight segments has crossed Rs 100 crore.

“Our information is they (BJP) have spent Rs 15 crore to Rs 20 crore in each constituency”, he alleged and said he was prepared to face a defamation case in this regard if the government files one.

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Karnataka Government had filed a defamation case against Kumaraswamy on Monday for his statement that the Chief Minister had accepted a Rs 50 crore bribe from a private firm to award a contract to it.

“I am ready to face it (the defamation case) within the legal framework. I have been dragged to court. I am happy and I welcome it”, he said.

Claiming that the executive director of the private firm Maverick Holding and Investments had publicly stated that “similar to the donation that one gave in temple, the firm had paid donation to the Government,” he said ”Investigation would bring out the truth (in the matter).