In the run-up to the Karnataka elections, the ruling Congress in the state on Thursday, 10 May, launched a scathing attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate B Sriramulu by releasing a 2010 sting operation video.
In the video, Sriramulu, who is a close confidante of the Reddy brothers, according to a PTI report, is seen allegedly negotiating a Rs 160 crore deal between tainted mining baron and owner of Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) Janardhan Reddy and then Chief Justice of India (CJI) KG Balakrishnan for a favourable verdict.
According to The Print, Balakrishnan’s son-in-law PV Srinijan, and three middlemen — identified as Captain Reddy, Balan, and Swamiji Rajnish — are also seen in the video.
Sriramulu is contesting from two constituencies Molakalmuru and Badami in the 12 May assembly polls in the state. In Badami, he is pitted against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Congress claimed the “sting” operation revealed that alleged attempts were made to bribe to seek a favourable verdict for Reddy. The party alleged that just one day before the then CJI-retired, he passed an order in a case related to Reddy brothers’ OMC, reported PTI.
It said the videos that have surfaced on Thursday, 10 May, show how Sriramulu, the middlemen, and the son in-law of the former CJI discussed bribe deals, hoping to get a favourable judgement from the Supreme Court in the Obalipuram case.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to slam the BJP over the issue, and expressed confidence that the people of Karnataka would give the BJP a befitting reply.
Dinesh Gundu Rao has also sought response from the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard.
"Do not believe in such fake stings which make the rounds now and then," BJP president Amit Shah said at a press conference, when asked about the "sting videos" circulating on social media.
The Congress has been criticising the BJP and the Prime Minister for their decision to give tickets to eight persons from the Reddy "camp," including his brothers G Somashekara Reddy and G Karunakara Reddy.
EC Bars TV Channels From Airing Video
State electoral authorities on Thursday, 10 May, directed TV news channels not to air the "sting" video showing a state BJP leader allegedly trying to bribe a kin of a former CJI to get a favourable verdict.
The direction came hours after State Home minister Ramalinga Reddy called what the Congress described as an 'explosive press conference' and released the video clippings which were in circulation on social media.
As news channels started airing the video footages shared by the Congress, electoral authorities took note of it and issued notices, chief electoral officer (CEO) office sources said.
A news channel executive told PTI that the election commission said in the notices to all the news channels and publication houses that they cannot air any such content within 24 hours of election.
An officer in the CEO's officer said a report has been sent to the election commission about the video and directions have been issued to the news channels not to air the video clip.
Disqualify Sriramulu From Contesting Polls, Cong Petitions EC
The Congress, on Friday, petitioned the Election Commission demanding that Sriramulu be disqualified from contesting the Karnataka Assembly elections over the video.
"We have requested the Election Commission to disqualify B Sriramulu from contesting the election," senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal told PTI after meeting the poll panel.
(With inputs from The Print and PTI)
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