Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday took potshots at B S Yediyurappa, the current CM, saying "Operation Lotus" should also be handed over to the CBI for an inquiry.
Siddaramaiah's statement came a day after the Yediyurappa announced that the phone tapping case filed under his predecessor HD Kumaraswamy government will be handed over to the CBI as many leaders have demanded a probe into the matter.
"The phone tapping case filed during the previous government will be handed over to the CBI as many leaders, including Congress legislative party leader (Siddaramaiah), have demanded a probe in this issue.
"People of Karnataka also want to know the truth so I have ordered to handover the case to the CBI," Yediyurappa said.
The opposition parties allege that "Operation Lotus" was BJP's attempt to form the government in the state by any means.
When asked about the phone-tapping case, Siddaramaiah said, "Yediyurappa has not spoken the truth. He said that he has ordered a CBI inquiry in the phone-tapping case on my request.
"But it is not true. I said let there be an impartial enquiry. Whoever is involved in it, must be punished. I suggest let Operation Lotus also be referred to CBI for a thorough inquiry," Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying.
The allegations of illegal phone tapping against HD Kumaraswamy initially stormed in after rebel JD(S) and Congress MLAs, who were later disqualified from their respective parties, claimed the former chief minister got their phones tapped.
(With inputs from ANI)
