US EditionBJP Accused of Attempting to Poach Odisha Congress Legislators
Two BJP-linked persons caught offering Rs 5 crore each to eight Odisha Congress MLAs at a resort, with blank cheques seized and police complaint filed ahead of Rajya Sabha vote.
- Accusing the BJP, D.K. Shivakumar said ₹5 crore had been offered to each of eight Odisha Congress MLAs on Sunday.
- Amid preparations for the Rajya Sabha vote, D.K. Shivakumar said the legislators have been kept at a resort since Thursday as part of the BJP's alleged 'Operation Lotus' and he met them to handle logistics.
- Booking records and the complaint show four persons booked rooms at Wonderla Resort with help from Byatarayanapura Suresh; two were caught offering bribes and two fled, police say.
- Ashok Kumar Das filed a police complaint naming the four accused, both Shivakumar and the eight MLAs met Mallikarjun Kharge, and an FIR was yet to be registered Sunday night; the MLAs moved to another hotel are expected to leave for Odisha on Monday morning.
- With voting set for March 16, 2026, Congress had moved eight legislators to a resort in Bidadi ahead of the Rajya Sabha vote.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar alleged that Odisha Congress MLAs were offered ₹5 crore each to cross-vote in the Rajya Sabha elections. He said that four people approached the MLAs staying at a resort in Bidadi, two of whom have been arrested by the police. Police have also seized the checks given to the MLAs. A complaint has been filed and the police are investigating.
Rajya Sabha polls: Congress MLAs offered Rs 5 crore to cross-vote, says DK Shivakumar
Two men from Odisha were caught attempting to bribe Congress MLAs with Rs 5 crore each for Rajya Sabha elections. Local BJP workers allegedly facilitated meetings. MLAs alerted party leaders, leading to the apprehension of two individuals carrying blank cheques. The Congress has lodged a complaint, and police are investigating.
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